Blood Recipient and Breast Cancer Survivor Urges Donors to Give This October  

Vitalant Donors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month have two chances to win $10,000

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Sept. 29, 2026) — A nurse and mother who recently celebrated her fourth anniversary of beating a fast-growing aggressive form of invasive breast cancer, is joining nonprofit Vitalant to call for more community members to give blood during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Blood donors played a key role at two different points in Amy McCarter’s treatment. First, a platelet transfusion helped her to have the strength to continue chemotherapy. As she prepared for surgery and radiation, a blood transfusion helped counteract anemia to be able to move forward, continue her treatment, take care of her kids and later return to work.

“I am here today because of incredible medical care, an army of people who supported me, and yes, because someone donated blood,” Amy said. “Blood donation is life-giving. Blood donation is lifesaving. And somewhere, right now, someone is counting on a stranger to give. Please be that stranger.”

More than one-quarter of the nation's blood supply helps patients receiving cancer treatment, while trauma care, chronic illnesses and transplant surgeries require blood every day, making regular donation a constant community need.

Donors of all blood types are needed constantly to help patients, especially those with the most-transfused type O. O-negative can help any patient, which makes it vital in emergencies, and O-positive can help patients with a positive blood type, more than 85% of the population. 

Vitalant donors who give Oct. 1-31 will be automatically entered to win one of two $10,000 gift cards.* Review eligibility requirements and make an appointment to give: visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant blood donor app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Upcoming Community Blood Drives

Kingman

* Terms and conditions apply. Visit vitalant.org/scarygoodgiveaway for more information.

About Vitalant

Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.