More blood transfusions are required in January than during any other month of the year. That’s why the Arizona Renaissance Festival has stepped in with a resolution to make sure that Arizona hospital patients have the lifesaving blood transfusions they need to survive.
January donors will help people like Branden, who, thanks to 72 blood donors, won his battle against cancer twice. When Branden injured his knee during high school hockey practice several years ago, his orthopedic surgeon thought he had torn a ligament, but an MRI showed a “hot spot” and additional tests revealed cancer. After three months of chemotherapy and more than 30 blood transfusions, Branden graduated on time, but within a few months the cancer spread to his lungs. It took five surgeries to remove more than 50 nodules, which was followed by a stem cell transplant and daily blood transfusions for a month. Thanks to blood donors, today Branden is cancer free and his greatest love is being a father.
“Enjoying the childhood days of make-believe at the festival in appreciation for saving Arizona lives is a great way to celebrate family traditions,” said Sanja Malinovic, marketing director for the faire. “We want to show Arizona blood donors that they are truly knights in shining armor.”
Give blood with Vitalant through Friday, Jan. 31, and be thanked with a voucher for a complimentary one-day admission to the 37th annual Arizona Renaissance Festival in appreciation for replenishing Arizona’s blood supply around the holiday season. Learn more at vitalant.org/holiday90sdonor. To make a blood donation appointment, visit vitalant.org, download the Vitalant App or call 1 (877) 25-VITAL [1 (877) 258-4825]. Upcoming blood drives in the Verde Valley will be:
■ Friday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sedona Verde Valley Association of Realtors, bloodmobile, 859 Cove Parkway, Cottonwood
■ Wednesday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Northern Arizona Healthcare Sedona, bloodmobile, 3700 W. State Route 89A, Suite B, Sedona
■ Saturday, Jan. 18, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., KOC Immaculate Conception, 700 N. Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood
■ Friday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Verde Valley Medical Center, conference rooms B and C, 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood
■ Saturday, Jan. 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Verde Valley Medical Center, conference rooms B and C, 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood
■ Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2 to 6 p.m., Jerome Fire Department, upstairs community room, 101 Main St., Jerome
■ Wednesday, Jan. 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mingus Union High School, small gym, 1801 E. Fir St., Cottonwood
■ Wednesday, Jan 29., 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sedona Red Rock High School, performing arts center lobby, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona
Founded in 1989, the Arizona Renaissance Festival is the largest permanent Renaissance festival in the United States, located on 50 acres at 12601 E. US 60 in Gold Canyon, east of Apache Junction. The festival runs for nine weekends in February and March.
