MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — A nurse and mother who recently celebrated her fourth anniversary of beating a fast-growing aggressive form of invasive breast cancer, is joining nonprofit Vitalant to call for more community members to give blood during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Blood donors played a key role at two different points in Amy McCarter’s treatment. First, a platelet transfusion helped her to have the strength to continue chemotherapy. As she prepared for surgery and radiation, a blood transfusion helped counteract anemia to be able to move forward, continue her treatment, take care of her kids and later return to work.
“I am here today because of incredible medical care, an army of people who supported me, and yes, because someone donated blood,” Amy said. “Blood donation is life-giving. Blood donation is lifesaving. And somewhere, right now, someone is counting on a stranger to give. Please be that stranger.”
More than one-quarter of the nation’s blood supply helps patients receiving cancer treatment, while trauma care, chronic illnesses and transplant surgeries require blood every day, making regular donation a constant community need.
Donors of all blood types are needed constantly to help patients, especially those with the most-transfused type O. O-negative can help any patient, which makes it vital in emergencies, and O-positive can help patients with a positive blood type, more than 85% of the population.
Vitalant donors who give Oct. 1-31 will be automatically entered to win one of two $10,000 gift cards.* Review eligibility requirements and make an appointment to give: visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant blood donor app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
To give blood in the Bullhead City area:
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Laughlin High School, 1900 Cougar Dr.
Friday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bullhead City AM Kiwanis, 3400 Hwy 95, S.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bullhead City Elks Lodge, 1745 Emerad Rd.
Friday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Compassus Hospice, 2755 Silver Creek Rd.
To give blood in the Lake Havasu City area:
Friday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Lake Havasu City Elks, 3532 McCulloch Blvd N.
Monday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 100 Park Ave.
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 100 Park Ave.
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 100 Park Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Women’s Council of Realtors, 2293 Swanson Ave.
To give blood in the Kingman area:
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kingman Academy High School, 3420 N. Burbank St.
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at KRMC, 3801 Santa Rosa Dr.
Thursday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Kingman City Hall, 310 N. Fourth St.
Friday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kingman-GV Association of Realtors, 1923 Kino Ave.
