Mothers give so much of themselves — their time, their strength, their care. This May, you have a meaningful opportunity to honor that generosity in a powerful way, by hosting a blood drive with a special theme.
Across the country, Vitalant is inviting communities to come together for Donate for Mothers, a national initiative that recognizes the lifesaving impact of blood donors and the mothers who depend on them. By hosting a blood drive in May, you help ensure patients receive the blood they need while giving donors a chance to honor the mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers who’ve shaped their lives.
Meet one such mom, Trish, who delivered her daughter, Dobry, via cesarean hysterectomy, after being diagnosed with placenta percreta, a serious condition that can cause life-threatening hemorrhage. 
Trish lost 27 liters of blood in the operating room and needed 89 units of blood total to survive the birth and her long journey to recovery, which consisted of eight more surgeries. Thanks to 96 blood donors, and blood drive coordinators like you, their story had a happy ending.
“I feel so humbled and so lucky to be alive and to be able to raise my kids and to have my family,” she said.
Why May Matters
May is more than Mother’s Day — it’s a time when blood donations often slow, even as patient need remains constant. Mothers are among those who rely on blood every day, during childbirth, surgeries, cancer treatment and emergencies. In fact:
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Pregnancy-related complications require blood transfusions for 1 in every 83 deliveries in the U.S.
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Obstetrics and gynecology are among the top 10 medical specialties that need the most blood for patients.
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About 205,000 units of blood are used in the U.S. each year for OB/GYN patients.
A single blood drive can help multiple families, including moms fighting to be there for their own children.
Host a Drive or Join the National Virtual Blood Drive
As a blood drive coordinator, you can participate in Donate for Mothers in two impactful ways:
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Host a local blood drive in May and invite donors to give in honor of a mother or caregiver who inspires them.
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Join the national Donate for Mothers Virtual Blood Drive, allowing donors to participate wherever they are while still supporting this important cause.
Make your blood drive even more meaningful by collaborating with a local mother’s group, family member, friend, maternal health organization, mother’s support network, hospital, labor and delivery unit, medical practitioner or chief nursing officer. Personalize the drive with celebrations of life, and honor moms and their individual labor experiences.
You can also incorporate your own donor giveaways, donated canteen refreshments for donors, decorations or an in-honor-of or in-memory-of call to action.
No matter what approach you choose, you make it easy for donors to say, “I gave for Mom.”
Your Leadership Makes It Possible
Every successful blood drive starts with a coordinator who cares. By promoting Donate for Mothers, you’re not just filling appointment slots, you’re helping families stay whole, supporting patients at critical moments and honoring the women who give so much of themselves every day.
Host your next blood drive soon, and help your community turn gratitude into action.