Formerly known as United Blood Services, Vitalent (pronounced vye-TAL-ent) will have a blood drive in Maricopa Oct. 12.

October blood donors saves the lives of Arizona patients like David, who is alive today with the help of 39 blood donors. In March of 2017, his doctor sent him to the ER where an oncologist confirmed that David had leukemia and would have survived only three or four weeks had he not come to the hospital. David spent 100 days in the hospital over the next nine months enduring rounds of chemotherapy, overcoming medical set-backs and receiving blood transfusions. He heard the words “your cancer is in remission” on Dec. 19, 2017. “Blood donors gave me a chance to get married and see another birthday and Christmas,” said David. “I am so inspired by their sacrifice.”

While donors of all types are desired, Type-O blood is urgently needed. For a blood donation appointment to transform lives, visit BloodHero.com (enter city or zip code) or call 1-877-25-VITAL (1-877-258-4825).

Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Maricopa Stake Center, 37280 W. Bowlin Road