When you give blood with Vitalant, you have the potential to help hospital patients within your community and, when the need arises, others across the country.

When extreme weather and unforeseen tragedies occur, our experienced nationwide team members jump into action to quickly deliver blood where it’s needed most. The benefits of our larger footprint are vast, including leveraging our coast-to-coast network of donation centers so every donation has the potential to impact more lives.

Many people believe that most blood is needed after major disasters. However, daily personal emergencies and ongoing medical needs of thousands of patients require a constant and ready blood supply. It’s the blood already on hospital shelves that saves lives.

Every day in the U.S., patients in hospitals, surgical centers and emergency treatment facilities need approximately:

• 29,000 units of red blood cells
• 5,000 units of platelets
• 6,500 units of plasma

Vitalant is the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit organization focused exclusively on providing lifesaving blood services. Vitalant has a network of about 120 donation centers across the U.S. and host approximately 60,000 blood drives annually. Vitalant provides blood and special services to patients in about 900 hospitals across the U.S. – millions of people depend on blood donations from our generous volunteer donors.

Am I eligible to donate blood?
You may be wondering if you can donate blood. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. If you’re in good health and meet the general eligibility criteria, then you are likely able to give blood. If you meet all eligibility criteria below, please schedule your appointment today to transform the lives of patients in need. If you’ve recently gotten a tattoo, traveled abroad or take medications and wonder if these affect your eligibility, please review how these might impact your eligibility.

COVID-19: Whatever your COVID-19 vaccination status, you may still give blood or platelets if you meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria. If you’ve had COVID-19 more than 10 days ago and your symptoms are resolving, you are eligible to donate. If you have received a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, you may give blood or platelets any time after your vaccination if you meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria.