Blood Systems announced last week that its 10 blood center brands, research institute and specialty laboratory – including United Blood Services, which frequently hosts events in Fountain Hills – will unite as one cohesive brand under the new name, Vitalant.

As one of the nation’s oldest and largest comprehensive transfusion medicine organizations, Vitalant serves local communities across 40 states including Arizona and Nevada. Its 127 nationwide donation centers and 30,000 mobile blood drives welcome more than 780,000 donors who supply 1.8 million donations per year.

“Our organization has grown to encompass blood donation centers and specialty services from coast to coast,” said Vitalant President and CEO Dave Green. “As transfusion medicine leaders, we embrace this opportunity to combine our innovative capabilities. We invite the public to join us in generating more vital donations to transform even more lives in communities across the United States.”

Unifying the combined capabilities and national presence of the organization’s many brands, Vitalant brings together the benefits of a cohesive centralized support structure and enhanced research opportunities to advance transfusion care and reach people most in need. Organizers say it also reflects a commitment to donors to ensure a consistent and seamless experience across all centers and blood drives.

The 10 donation center brands that come together collectively under the name Vitalant are: Blood Centers of the Pacific, BloodSource, Bonfils Blood Center, Central Blood Bank, Community Blood Services, Inland Northwest Blood Center, Lifeblood, LifeShare, LifeSource and United Blood Services, in addition to the umbrella organization Blood Systems including its research institute and specialty laboratory. Vitalant’s national headquartersis in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“United Blood Services has a 75-year history as the first and largest blood center in the southwest,” said Tom Choi, president of Vitalant operations in Arizona and southern Nevada. “We remain committed to the community with the same people and purpose they have come to expect.”

Vitalant supports nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care entities throughout the United States, impacting millions of lives. In addition to blood products, Vitalant offers hospital partners transfusion services, medical consulting, quality guidance, ongoing education, research and more.

Vitalant holds that there is a constant need for blood, with nearly 5,000 blood donations needed each day to meet the needs of people throughout the country. More than 600 donations are needed each day to meet the needs of people throughout Arizona and southern Nevada alone. Statistics also show that nearly 60 percent of blood donations come from people over 40, and nearly 45 percent come from people older than 50. Moving forward, Vitalant looks to inspire the next generation of blood donors, while building lasting relationships with people of all ages.

“Vitalant’s purpose is to help people realize their life-transforming potential,” said Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Ron Waeckerlin. “A name change does not change our commitment to the communities we serve in the Arizona and Nevada or the many other people who count on us. In fact, our national presence allows us to effectively tap into our network to ensure donations reach the people who need it most.”

Vitalant will maintain the same community-based staff in every donation center, and donors will experience the same service they have come to trust and expect, according to a statement from the company. To make a blood donation appointment, visit vitalant.org.