TRUCKEE, Calif. — In honor of National Donate Life Month in April, Vitalant urges all eligible donors to make an appointment to give and ensure every patient who needs blood can be treated without delay. 

Every day, nonprofit Vitalant needs nearly 5,000 donations to support patients, including those undergoing organ or blood marrow transplants. A single liver transplant surgery can require 20 or more units of blood.

“Throughout Northern Nevada, we continue to work closely with community blood drive hosts to ensure a safe and available blood supply,” said Sr. Director of Donor Recruitment Julie Gallardo. “We look forward to seeing more people donating blood regularly in response to this critical need.”

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Vitalant is thanking all blood donors who give March 27-May 15 with a $10 Amazon.com gift card redeemable by email. 

Blood drive disruptions due to weather-related issues, including blood drive cancellations, no-show donors, equipment obstacles and more, have taken a toll on the availability of blood.

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“We are all looking forward to April when weather will be less likely to impact blood drives,” said a press release. 

Blood and platelet transfusions save lives every day, providing patients battling various medical conditions with the necessary blood components to get better. Platelets are also crucial for patients with cancer or blood disorders who may require chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can damage their bone marrow and decrease platelet production. Donations of all blood types are critical, and especially type O, because it is transfused the most often. O-negative blood can help patients with any blood type, including premature babies.

Learn more and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). 

Vitalant is asking community members to host local blood drives – learn more at https://vitalant.org/host-a-blood-drive.

There are two donations scheduled this month in Truckee.

The first will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 7, in the Eskridge Conference Room at Tahoe Forest Hospital located at 10121 Pine Avenue.

The second will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, inside the gym at Truckee High School located at 11725 Donner Pass Road.