Vitalant
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Because of you, life doesn’t stop.
Vitalant is a nonprofit organization that collects blood from volunteer donors and provides blood, blood products and services across the United States. It was founded in 1943 as the Salt River Valley Blood Bank in Phoenix, Arizona. Many community blood centers were formed at the height of WWII to support the troops fighting overseas and communities at home. The organizations that make up Vitalant share a heritage of providing for those in need – no matter where they may be. As one of the nation’s oldest and largest blood service providers, Vitalant strives to make blood donation comfortable and convenient, empowering people to act on their desire to transform lives through this amazing gift. Vitalant, essentially, is a blood bank. They collect blood from their donors, process the blood and send it to area hospitals that need blood for their patients. Whether it’s cancer patients receiving treatment, people headed into surgery, neonatal care, childbirth or any trauma where blood is needed, they try to fill the need.
Vitalant started out as an individual company. About three years ago, several independently owned blood banks were purchased by a larger blood bank which decided to do a rebrand, bringing everyone under the same umbrella, Vitalant. Today, Vitalant serves 40 states, has 127 donation centers, and collects about 1.8 million donations of blood each year from about 780,000 donors. They are the sole blood provider to nearly 1000 hospitals across the United States.
Vitalant is unique because they are a nonprofit, which many people don’t realize. They don’t sell their products; they are used for research and given directly to patients in need. When you become a blood donor, you receive a text message that tells you when your blood has been sent to a hospital to help a 
patient. It is such a tangible way to give back. It takes nothing other than your time. By giving blood, you are directly making an impact on your community. That blood is going to someone who needs it. Becoming a blood donor also includes extra health benefits many donors don’t know about. Every time you give blood; you get a mini physical. Vitalant has helped donors discover underlying medical conditions and been able to help them.
Stephanie Kizziar, Communications Manager says, “Meridian is a fantastic community. We belong to the chamber to stay connected with the community; to stay connected and in communication with the people on whom we depend. Our donor base in Meridian is incredible. We have strong community blood drives four times a year. Still, a lot of people have never donated blood because no one has asked them. I’m personally asking you to. If you’ve never donated before, do it. You can give every 8 weeks. The thing that best underscores the importance of donating blood is that donors keep coming back. They say it without words. The platelet donation process takes about 2 hours, and they come in with their blankets and headphones. The fact that they keep coming back speaks volumes as to the importance of what we do. One donation of blood can save up to 3 lives.”
Today, Vitalant is an internationally known and respected leader that continues to push the boundaries to advance the experience, practice, and application of transfusion medicine.