by Janet Dubiel

The Yavapai-Apache Nation is hosting their first American Red Cross blood drive at the Tunlii Community Building in Camp Verde. This drive will take place on Wednesday, January 28th from 10 o’clock am to 3 o’clock pm. The blood drive is open to the public. To schedule an appointment to donate at this blood drive, go to www.redcrossblood.org and use Sponsor Code: yavapaiapache

Darlene Felix, the Yavapai-Apache Nation‘s Community Health Representative stated that the motivation for holding this blood drive is that, “Blood drives help ensure that hospitals have enough blood for emergencies, surgeries, childbirth, and chronic illnesses. Tribal members and neighboring communities may directly benefit from having blood available when it’s needed most.”

Ms. Felix also noted that being able to respond to community needs during natural disasters, such as floods and fires, is always administered with knowledge and skills attained from the Red Cross. This partnership was put into action in 2025, when the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s wildland fire team attended a Red Cross shelter training that was held in the Verde Valley.

If you’re unable to make it to this drive other Red Cross blood drives in the Verde Valley are:

Wednesday, January 7 – City of Cottonwood

Wednesday, January 14 – The Villages of Lynx Creek in Dewey

Thursday, January 15 – VOC Church of the Nazarene in the Village of Oak Creek

Tuesday, January 27 – American Legion Post 25 in Cottonwood

Wednesday, February 11 – Sunset Village in West Sedona

Wednesday, February 18 – Sedona Winds Assisted Living in the Village of Oak Creek

More drives are constantly being added.  Check the website for newly scheduled drives. For any questions contact Janet Dubiel, Blood Services Community Volunteer Leader at: janet.dubiel@redcross.org