by Vitalant
Our hearts go out to those impacted by the tragic shooting in the late hours of November 7th in Thousand Oaks. Vitalant was able to support the blood needs of patients early Thursday morning. There was a tremendous outpouring of support from the local community with potential donors lining up to give blood through the weekend and into the following week. Vitalant was able to extend donation center hours as well as add blood drives in the area to accommodate the community who wanted to donate in honor of those who lost their lives.
The staff at Vitalant remain in awe and thankful for the amazing support by each and every citizen who came out to ensure blood would be on hospitals shelves when needed. In normal circumstances our blood donors are inspiring. In this instance, with grief in their hearts and a major fire breaking out, the folks who donated remained undeterred from their mission of transforming the lives of others with their donation.
It is the blood already donated and tested waiting on hospital shelves that transforms lives. That’s why it’s crucial that donors help to constantly replenish the supply, so we remain ready for tragic situations. Vitalant saw 269 new Ventura County donors in 5 days, with a total of 684 red cell units donated from new and existing donors right here at home. There is a great need for those first-time donors to continue donating. Blood donations are declining nation-wide, with an even greater seasonal decline during the summer months and around holidays and flu season.
If you are interested in donating blood, please take time to search for a convenient blood drive at www.vitalant.org or stop by Vitalant’s donor center in Ventura at 2223 Eastman, Suite A. Walk-ins are welcome, however hours do vary, so appointments are strongly suggested. There are several area blood drives that might interest possible donors. On Tuesday, November 27th Ventura Orthopedics is hosting a blood drive from 11am until 3pm at 2221 Wankle Way in Oxnard. On Sunday, December 2nd Our Lady of the Assumption Church will serve as a donation location from 8:45am until 2:15pm at 3175 Telegraph Road in Ventura.
