VITALANT News:
ALBUQUERQUE — This January, nonprofit Vitalant is calling on all generous blood donors to be a lifesaver during National Blood Donor Month. Vitalant is grateful for all blood donors who are especially vital at the start of a new year, following the holiday weeks when office and school blood drives are scarce and busy schedules cause a dip in donations.
As a special thanks between Jan. 5-Feb. 8, Vitalant is giving donors 26 chances to win $500* to start off 2026.
Giving blood is just one way to make a lifesaving difference. Thomas Williams has long helped patients by donating blood regularly, then decided he could do more and asked a friend to join him. His advocacy has since spread, encouraging his coworkers to participate in the blood drive where he works and inspiring purpose in others to help save lives.
“Influencing others to give has become a new passion for me,” Williams said. “If I could get 100 people to donate, think of the number of people I could help.”
Donors of all blood types, especially type O and platelet donors are needed every day to help people recover from traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries, living with blood disorders and many other medical conditions. Type O can help the most patients because of its broad compatibility. Platelets help stop bleeding and are frequently needed to help cancer patients. Platelets have a short storage life and must be used within a week of donation.
Learn more and make an appointment to give by visiting vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877.258.4825).
Upcoming Blood Drives
Santa Fe
| Monday, Jan. 5 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Santa Fe Public Schools | 1300 Camino Sierra Vista |
| Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | NM Department of Health | Department of Health |
| Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Department of Public Safety | 4491 Cerrillos Road |
| Thursday, Jan. 22 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Taxation and Revenue Dept. | 1100 St. Francis Drive |
Espanola
| Friday, Jan. 9 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Espanola Starbucks | 1404 N Riverside Drive |
| Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | City of Espanola | 405 N. Paseo de Onate |
Las Vegas
| Thursday, Jan. 8 | 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | NM DOT District 4 | 28 Bibb Industrial Park Drive |
| Friday, Jan. 23 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Las Vegas Community | 1751 N Grand Ave |
Los Alamos
| Thursday, Jan. 15 | 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Los Alamos Community | 2200 Diamond Dr |
| Friday, Jan. 16 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Los Alamos Community | 2200 Diamond Dr |
| Saturday, Jan. 31 | 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Smiths Marketplace | 751 Trinity Dr. |
Taos
| Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Holy Cross Hospital | 1393 Weimer Road |
| Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Holy Cross Hospital | 1393 Weimer Road |
| Thursday, Jan. 29 | 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Taos High School | 134 Cervantes |
*Terms and conditions apply. Visit vitalant.org/26giveaway.
About Vitalant
Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.