Donors urged to give blood in April as demand continues
Multiple blood drives planned in North County
– Every two seconds, a patient in the United States relies on a ready blood supply for medical care, according to the nonprofit Vitalant, which is urging eligible donors to give blood in April to help meet ongoing demand.
The organization said donors who give blood in April will have a chance to win a $10,000 prepaid gift card.
Vitalant said donors of all blood types are needed to support patients, with the greatest demand for type O blood, which is commonly used and can be transfused when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type.
The organization provides more than 25 hospitals along California’s Central Coast with nearly 250 units of blood each day. Because blood is perishable and demand is constant, officials said the need for volunteer donors is ongoing.
April is National Volunteer Month, highlighting the role of volunteers in maintaining the blood supply. In addition to donating blood and hosting community blood drives, volunteers assist with various tasks.
Most people are eligible to donate blood. Appointments can be made online at vitalant.org, through the Vitalant blood donor app, or by calling (877) 258-4825.
Several community blood drives are scheduled in San Luis Obispo County in April. A drive will be held April 2 at Springhill Suites in Atascadero from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Another is scheduled for April 4 at Templeton Tennis Ranch in Templeton from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. A drive will take place April 6 at Walmart in Paso Robles from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Additional drives include April 13 at Cal Poly SLO, Dexter East in San Luis Obispo from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; April 21 at 1130 Los Osos Valley Road in Los Osos from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; April 25 at River Oaks at Paso Robles in Paso Robles from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; April 27 at SLO Fire Station No. 1 in San Luis Obispo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and April 28 at Grover Beach Police Department in Grover Beach from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Vitalant said these events are among more than two dozen community blood drives held each week. Donors may also give at one of four donation centers along the Central Coast, including a location at 4119 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo.
