By Lori Baker, Communications Volunteer

As the Red Cross experiences a constant need for blood, the Cambria Hotel Phoenix-Chandler Fashion Center in Chandler began hosting blood drives in May.

“I have hosted blood drives in the past at the previous hotels I have worked for so I decided to host a blood drive in Chandler,” said Kyle Burry, director of sales for Cambria Hotel Phoenix-Chandler Fashion Center.

So far, the hotel has collected 89 units of blood. The next drive, which is open to the public, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m . Dec. 31 at the hotel,  3165 W. Frye Road in Chandler. Pre-registration is required at redcrossblood.org.

“We will be hosting more blood drives in the future when we can,” Burry said.

Blood donors of all blood types — especially type O — and platelet donors are urgently needed now to ensure patients at hospitals across the country continue to receive critical medical care. 

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Whether it’s a person giving birth, a child with sickle cell disease receiving a transfusion or a cancer patient undergoing treatment, access to blood and blood products is a necessity.

The American Red Cross is the nation’s largest single supplier, providing about 40% of blood and blood products. Each day, the Red Cross must collect about 12,000 units of blood at approximately 500 blood drives in order to meet this constant and urgent need.

Blood donation appointments can be scheduled by visiting  RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.