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Arizona Coyotes to host community blood drive May 27-28

Virus Outbreak NHL Hockey
Posted at 1:32 PM, May 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-27 10:20:06-04

Like the Arizona Cardinals did before, the Arizona Coyotes and Gila River Arena have teamed up with Vitalant and Streets of New York to host a community blood drive May 27-28.

The event will take place both days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gila River Arena.

The drive is seeking 700 blood donors to rebuild the supply that is expected to decline by as much as 25 percent during the Memorial holiday week, according to the release.

"Patient blood needs have substantially increased now that elective surgeries are resuming across our state," said Sid Lewis, Sr. Director of Donor Recruitment for Vitalant's Southwest Division. "Every day, patients continue to depend on blood transfusions for surgery, transplants, cancer treatment and ongoing medical needs."

Coyotes general manager John Chayka will donate, as will head coach Rick Tocchet, and players Brad Richardson and Jason Demers.

Donors are asked to make an appointment to ensure social distancing, as well as wearing a mask while at the arena.
To sign up, visit vitalant.org/Coyotes.

For their generosity, donors will also receive one complimentary ticket to a Coyotes home game next season, a voucher for a slice of cheese pizza and a Pepsi at Streets of New York, and be entered in a raffle to win a 2019-2020 Coyotes team signed stick.