Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, is strongly urging its donors in Valencia County, and across New Mexico, to donate blood in support of hospitals here and in the areas that have been severely impacted by severe weather storms across the United States.
U.S. blood centers are struggling to maintain adequate supplies.
Donors are encouraged to give blood through the next two weeks to immediately rebuild the blood supply. There is a critical need for all blood types.
To schedule a blood donation in Valencia County call 505-357-4094 to schedule their donation, or go to Vitalant.org.
Local blood drives:
• 4:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 20: Blood Mobile at Calvary New Harvest, 701 Main St., Los Lunas (next to Churches Chicken)
• 1-4 p.m., Friday, March 22: Blood Mobile at Belen Consolidated Schools, 520 N. Main, Belen
• 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, March 23: Calvary Chapel Rio Grande, 19381 North N.M. 314, Belen
• 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sunday March 24: Inside the old parish hall at Our Lady of Belen, 101 North 10th St., Belen
Donor coordinator for Vitalant Selina Robinson said often people think everyone else is donating blood, but that isn’t the case.
“It will take an hour of a donor’s time to save three lives,” Robinson said.
Donors can attend any of the drives. They need to bring a n ID and eat prior to donation. Recent tattoos are ok, even those done the same day as donation.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
