Winter Classic blood drive is Saturday
The fourth annual Winter Classic blood drive is set for Saturday in Chico, Redding, and Yuba City.
Vicky Wolfe, the communications manager at Vitalant, said that Vitalant is at its lowest level of blood donations in two years.
“This is not just about Vitalant, but it’s about blood centers across the United States,” she said. “Almost all blood centers throughout the United States are reporting record lows.”
Wolfe said that despite its lowest blood donations, Vitalant has been able to keep up with the blood demand locally. She said that Vitalant is still concerned about the blood shortage and has been working with local hospitals to make sure that patients who may need blood will be able to get it.
Wolfe said that Vitalant aims to have a four day inventory, but had less than a two day supply for some blood components at the start of the shortage.
“It’s the blood on the shelf that saves people’s lives when people come into the hospital,” she said. “So we always want to make sure that our inventory is strong and stable and that we’re able to provide for every patient who needs blood.”
The first blood drive location is scheduled to be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chico Vitalant Donation Center located at 555 Rio Lindo Ave. in Chico. The second blood drive location is scheduled to be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Turtle Bay Elementary School located at 1330 Arboretum Drive in Redding. The last blood drive location is scheduled to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Yuba City at Boyd Hall located at 1895 Lassen Blvd. in Yuba City.
Vitality hosts its Winter Classic blood drive annually because January is National Blood Donor Month. Wolfe said that if people who aren’t feeling well or have a cold should stay home Jan. 29 and make an appointment for the future.
“The goal for this weekend is really to encourage people to come in,” Wolfe said. “We are encouraging people who are healthy and eligible to come in and donate blood to help us with the blood shortages that we’re seeing now, and to prevent blood shortages in the future.”
It is recommended to make an appointment to participate in the blood drive. People who decide to donate blood as part of the Winter Classic blood drive will be given a T-shirt, as supplies last. All donors will also be entered into a giveaway to win one of four, $5,000 prepaid gift cards. More information and appointments for the blood drive can be made at vitalant.org. Appointments can also be made by calling 877258-4825.