Vitalant - Pennsylvania & Ohio

09/02/2026

In recognition of National Preparedness Month and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Vitalant is encouraging blood donations to help ensure a ready blood supply before emergencies occur.

Donors who give blood Sept. 2-11 will receive a Flight 93 commemorative t-shirt while supplies last. T-shirts will be available at the Pittsburgh region's eight donation centers and participating blood drives.

By donating blood, Western Pennsylvanians can pay tribute to the lives lost on 9/11 while helping ensure patients have access to the lifesaving transfusions they need every day.

Make an appointment today at vitalant.org.

09/01/2026

🩸 A breakthrough in platelet research could help save more lives. A new study found that chilled platelets stored for up to 21 days performed as safely and effectively as standard platelets in surgery.

Vitalant is proud to have supported this work with UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Together, we're helping make every donation go further.

Local researchers say a change in how blood platelets are stored could triple or even quadruple the U.S. supply available to treat life-threatening bleeding. Recently, study author Dr. Philip Spinella and his team published research in JAMA showing platelets stored cold for up to 21 days could soon....

08/31/2026

Support your team. Save lives. Win big.

Abbott and the Big Ten's Drive is happening now, and you can help your Big Ten school compete for a $1 million grant to advance student or community health!

The school with the most donations by December 4 will be announced at the Big Ten Championship Game on December 5.

Donate at any Vitalant location, then log your gift at bigten.org/abbott or text "GIVEBLOOD" to ABBOTT (222688) to credit your school. Log your donation between Aug. 26 - Dec. 4 to earn an exclusive Big Ten® T-shirt (while supplies last), redeemable through Abbott.

Be part of this nationwide challenge. Your donation saves lives and proves your school spirit. Learn more: vitalant.org/BigTen

08/28/2026

For 22 years, Dave has shared his time and talents as a Vitalant volunteer. ❤️🩸

A lifelong athlete, Dave has witnessed firsthand how critical blood products can be following injuries and emergencies. That's why he's also a blood donor, helping ensure lifesaving blood is available when it's needed most.

His commitment to giving back extends far beyond Vitalant. Dave volunteers throughout the Pittsburgh community with The Knead Community Café, the Miracle League, Special Olympics, and four local theaters.

"There is such a need for people to share their time through volunteering," Dave said. "This is what I want my legacy to be."

We're grateful to have Dave as part of the Vitalant family. Whether he's greeting donors with a warm smile or putting his exceptional organizational skills to work, he makes a difference every day.

Thank you, Dave, for 22 years of dedication, generosity, and service to our donors and community! 👏❤️

Interested in volunteering with Vitalant? Learn more at vitalant.org/support-us/volunteer

08/27/2026

What a way to wrap up the 30th Annual Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drive at PNC Park! 🎉

We had the honor of celebrating Richard's 100th blood donation with Vitalant. Richard began donating in college in 1969 and has been giving back ever since. A dedicated and consistent donor, he donates for one simple reason: to help others.

Richard's milestone is a reminder that saving lives starts with a little inspiration and a small investment of time. Thank you, Richard, for your incredible generosity and commitment to our community. Congratulations on reaching 100 donations! ❤️🩸

The Pirates Drive at PNC Park continues today until 6 pm. Stop by, donate, and get a voucher for two free tickets to a Pirates home game. For more information, visit vitalant.org/pirates!

08/26/2026

Rushing back to school? We get it. But patients still need blood, and taking only about an hour out of your day could help save a life.

As thanks for making time to donate, all who give blood in August and book using code AUGUST15-2026-V will receive a $15 Donor Rewards gift card in appreciation (opt-in req.). Learn more and sign up: vitalant.org/AugDonorGift

08/25/2026

Celebrating 20 Years of Dedication!

On September 6, Nikki will celebrate an incredible milestone, 20 years with Vitalant, including the last 6 years as Donor Care Supervisor at our South Hills Donation Center.

One of Nikki’s favorite parts of her job is connecting with donors. She loves hearing about their lives, travels, and experiences, and over the years has built meaningful relationships with many repeat donors.

What inspires her most about donors is their selfless commitment to helping others. “They donate for the right reason, to save lives and support their community,” she shares.

For Nikki, a great day is a productive day of blood collection, made even better by the teammates who help make it happen. She especially values working alongside Joyce, who has been with Vitalant for an impressive 38 years. Together, they make a strong team and get the job done.

Nikki is passionate about helping first-time donors feel comfortable. She takes the time to explain the donation process, ensures they’ve eaten a healthy meal and stayed hydrated, and stays nearby to offer reassurance throughout the experience. More often than not, new donors leave saying, “That wasn’t bad at all!”

Her message to anyone considering donating is simple:

“If you’re eligible, donate because you can, because not everyone can.”

Nikki’s passion for blood donation is deeply personal. She was inspired to pursue this career by her younger sister, who lived with lupus and received many red blood cell and platelet transfusions throughout her illness. Those lifesaving blood products helped her feel better, extended her life, and gave her more time with loved ones.

Thank you, Nikki, for two decades of compassion, dedication, and service to our donors and patients.

Visit vitalant.org to find a blood drive or donation center near you and meet more of the incredible Vitalant team members who make lifesaving donations possible.

(photos of the South Hills Donation Center)

08/24/2026

Nadia is like so many other teenagers—active, busy with dance, spending time with friends, and planning for the future. What she didn't know was that she was living with severe anemia.

By the time she reached the hospital, Nadia needed four units of blood to save her life. Thanks to volunteer blood donors, the blood she needed was available when every minute mattered.

Today, Nadia is back to dancing and doing what she loves. Her story is a powerful reminder that blood donors help save lives every day and you never know who might need that lifesaving gift.

Thank you to every donor who helps make stories like Nadia's possible. Join them and save lives: vitalant.org

08/21/2026

Summer is not over yet!🩸Donate blood, score 2 free Pirates tickets! 🏴‍☠️

Give at a Pirates Blood Drive this August at PNC Park or locations across Pittsburgh and receive a voucher for two tickets to a 2026 home game (Sunday through Thursday).

In June, Pirates fans helped collect more than 750 units of blood to support local patients. Let’s knock August drives out of the park as well! ⚾

Schedule now at vitalant.org/pirates!

08/20/2026

When Michelle became the new Township Manager of Buffalo Township, she knew she wanted to make a difference in her community, and hosting a blood drive quickly became a priority. ❤️🩸

As a first-time Blood Drive Coordinator, Michelle partnered with Vitalant to get the process started. Around the same time, she was contacted by the family of a local Washington County resident whose medical treatments depended on lifesaving blood transfusions. Inspired to help, Michelle worked with the family to host two community blood drives in his honor. First-time donors rolled up their sleeves alongside donors returning after years away, all united by a shared commitment to helping patients in need.

The experience inspired Michelle in another way. She made her own first blood donation and plans to continue hosting blood drives in Buffalo Township.

"Blood donation saves lives," Michelle says. "Anything can happen at any time."

Thank you, Michelle, for your leadership, compassion, and commitment to strengthening your community through blood donation. Your efforts are helping ensure local patients have access to the blood they need when they need it most.

Interested in hosting a blood drive to support hospitals and patients in need? Learn more at vitalant.org/BloodDrive.