Donors needed as Arizona faces critical blood shortage

The staff of United Blood Services collects blood from donors Wednesday, July 17, 2003, in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (AP/file)

The staff of United Blood Services collects blood from donors Wednesday, July 17, 2003, in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (AP/file)

PHOENIX — Arizona is facing a critical shortage of blood after donations fell during the holidays, the state's primary blood supplier said Friday as it issued an urgent call for donors.

Arizona has less than a day's supply of the universal blood type, O-Negative, and less than a two-day supply of O-Positive, which can be used on anyone with a positive blood type, according to Vitalant, the organization formerly known as United Blood Services. The group provides blood for 62 Arizona hospitals. There are shortages of other blood types as well.

Blood supplies always fall during the holidays, the slowest period for donations, but this year's shortage is more severe than typical, said Sue Thew, a spokeswoman for Vitalant.

“It's bad enough to think about people being in the hospital this time of year,” Thew said. “They shouldn’t have to worry about having an ample blood supply.”

Vitalant is seeking up to 600 donors for a massive blood drive on Sunday in Tempe. Scheduled blood drives in other areas can be found at BloodHero.com.

Where to donate Blood in the Prescott area

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 - Northern Arizona VA Health Care Systems Theatre Bldg 15, 500 Hwy 89 North. Prescott, AZ 86313. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 - Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Lower Hangar, 3700 N. Willow Creek, Prescott, AZ 86301. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2020 - National Bank of Arizona Bloodmobile, 1500 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 - Prescott Gateway Mall Suite 244 - Next to Claire's (Suite with large blue doors), 3250 Gateway Blvd, Prescott, AZ 86303. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 - Prescott YMCA Bus in Parking Lot, 750 Whipple St., Prescott, AZ 86301. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 - Touchmark at The Ranch, 3150 Touchmark Blvd, Prescott, AZ 86301. American Red Cross (RedCrossBlood.org)

10:30 a.m. to 02:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 - Yavapai County Jeep Posse Meeting Hall, 1200 Commerce Dr, Prescott, AZ 86301. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 - Prescott Honda, 3291 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301. American Red Cross (RedCrossBlood.org)

08 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 - Yavapai Regional Medical Center Spruce Room, 1003 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan 25, 2020 - Best Buy - Prescott Bus In Parking Lot, 3085 Gateway Blvd, Prescott, AZ 86303. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 - Arizona Department of Economic Security-Prescott Valley Bloodmobile, 3262 Bob Dr. Suite #8, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314. Vitalant (BloodHero.com)


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