VITALANT News:
SANTA FE — This December, nonprofit Vitalant asks all those eligible, to schedule a blood donation appointment and help save lives.
Busy schedules and travel during the December holiday weeks typically lead to the lowest donor turnout of the year, but the need for lifesaving blood remains constant and critical for patients.
Jenn Dobson started 2025 with a cancer scare that turned out instead to be severe endometriosis, a painful condition. She endured surgeries and a stint in the ICU, where her heart stopped and it took 25 minutes to revive her. She also needed several units of blood. Now recovered, the longtime blood donor is ending the year with a new urgency to give back, organizing blood drives.
“I’d donated before, but after what happened, I realized how personal it really is,” Dobson said. “I thought, if I’m going to do it, I should bring people with me, too.”
As an extra thank you for donating at this critical time of year, Vitalant is providing December donors with the chance to win the Big $20,000 Giveaway*. One donor’s name will be drawn to win a prepaid gift card of their choice.
Donors of all blood types are needed this December, especially type O and platelet donors. Type O can help the most patients because of its compatibility. Platelets often help cancer patients, but maintaining that supply requires constant donations, because platelets must be used within a week of donation.
Giving blood in the coming days or weeks helps maintain a steady supply essential for patients battling chronic illness, undergoing surgery or recovering from traumatic injuries.
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
| Friday, Dec. 19 | 11:00 AM – 04:00 PM | Holiday Heroes – Santa Fe | Santa Fe Mall |
| Saturday, Dec. 20 | 10:00 AM – 03:00 PM | Holiday Heroes – Santa Fe | Santa Fe Mall |
| Saturday, Dec. 27 | 08:30 AM – 12:30 PM | La Tienda at Eldorado | 7 Caliente Road |
Española
| Saturday, Dec. 13 | 10:00 AM – 03:00 PM | Holiday Heroes Española | 1202 N Riverside Drive |
| Monday, Dec. 15 | 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM | Española Starbucks | 1404 N Riverside Drive |
Las Vegas
| Friday, Dec. 12 | 12:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Las Vegas Community | 1751 N Grand Ave |
| Saturday, Dec. 13 | 09:00 AM – 02:00 PM | Las Vegas Community | 1751 N Grand Ave |
Los Alamos
| Saturday, Dec. 6 | 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM | Royal Manticoran Navy | 751 Trinity Dr. |
| Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 11:00 AM – 03:00 PM | Los Alamos Cooperative Market | Bloodmobile @ Los Alamos Coop Market |
| Thursday, Dec. 18 | 10:00 AM – 03:00 PM | N3B Los Alamos | 751 Trinity Dr. |
| Saturday, Dec. 20 | 09:00 AM – 02:00 PM | Smith’s Marketplace | 751 Trinity Dr. |
Mora
| Thursday, Dec. 11 | 02:00 PM – 06:00 PM | Mora County Sheriff | Highway 518 Mile Post 29.2 |
Taos
| Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 12:00 PM – 04:00 PM | Holy Cross Hospital | 1393 Weimer Road |
| Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM | Taos County | 105 Albright Street |
| Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 12:00 PM – 04:00 PM | Holy Cross Hospital | 1393 Weimer Road |
| Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 09:00 AM – 01:00 PM | Holy Cross Hospital | 1393 Weimer Road |
∗Terms and conditions apply. Visit vitalant.org/holidaygiveaway.
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.