SAN ANGELO, Texas — To commemorate National Donor Month, Vitalant is hosting a blood drive through Jan. 5, before a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day blood drive Jan. 6, both at Sunset Mall, 4001 Sunset Drive.
The National Donor Month mobile blood drive is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday at an empty space next to American Eagle Outfitters.
The Law Enforcement Appreciation Day drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the same location.
Donor Recruitment Supervisor Linda Grace said January is typically one of the most difficult times of the year to maintain an adequate supply of blood. She said donor turnout over the holiday season was low, but the need for blood went up.
“If you’ve never donated blood before, now’s the time to make your New Year’s resolution to do so,” Grace said. “You save up to three lives when you do that.”
Those who want to donate blood must be at least 16 years old, 110 pounds and in good health. At each mobile blood drive, first-time donors will have to complete a questionnaire about their health history; or ahead of time on the Vitalant mobile app.
Grace said the entire process takes about an hour from start to finish and the quickest part of donating blood is the donation itself. She recommends donors drink water and eat a light, healthy meal hours before their donation.
Law enforcement officers who donate blood Saturday will receive a coupon for a free sandwich from a local restaurant.
For more information about Vitalant, click here.