United Blood Services, well known on the Central Coast for its many mobile blood drives, has changed its name to Vitalant.

The change was announced by Blood Services, the owner of United Blood Services and nine other donation-center brands.

As one of the nation’s oldest and largest comprehensive transfusion medicine organizations serving communities across 40 states, Vitalant has 127 nationwide donation centers as well as 30,000 mobile blood drives involving more than 780,000 donors who supply 1.8 million donations per year.

Vitalant has four Central Coast donation centers that host about 85 blood drives every month. Vitalant’s national headquarters is in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The company supports nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care entities throughout the United States. In addition to blood products, Vitalant offers hospital partners transfusion services, medical consulting, guidance, ongoing education, research and more.

Nearly 5,000 blood donations are needed each day to meet the needs of people throughout the country, the company noted. At least 900 donations are needed each day to meet the needs of people throughout the region. Statistics show that nearly 60 percent of blood donations come from people over 40, and nearly 45 percent come from people older than 50. Vitalant hopes to inspire the next generation of blood donors.

For more information, go to vitalant.org.

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Donors at a blood drive hosted by the Vikings of Solvang on March 22 will receive a $25 voucher for dinner at a participating local restaurant.

The event, coordinated through United Blood Services (UBS) of the Central Coast, will take place from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

“The Vikings rely on the generous people in the Santa Ynez Valley for a successful blood drive,” said Rene Martinez, this year’s Viking chief. “Our goal is to collect at least 100 pints of blood, and the free dinner is our way to thank you for your support — and for your donation of blood for those who need it.”

Walk-in donors are welcome, but UBS asks that donors make an appointment in advance, if possible, by calling 800-715-3699 or registering online at www.blood4life.org.

For more information call the Vikings blood drive chairman, Max Hanberg, at 805-688-6012.

The Vikings of Solvang are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides help for the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County, with a goal of improving people’s quality of life.

For more information, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.

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The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic will be hosting a free Health and Wellness Family Fair from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20 in the Tribal Health Clinic’s parking lot on the Chumash Reservation located at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez.

Local vendors at the Fair will include Cottage Hospital, the American Cancer Society, United Blood Services, which will be conducting a blood drive, TANF, and Covered California. EMTs from the Chumash Casino Resort will be on hand operating a body scan machine. There will also be food, giveaways, a face painter and a blender bike, in which participants can make their own smoothies by pedaling on the bicycle-operated blender.

The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The staff specializes in the highest standards of quality health care through modern medicine and cultural tradition.

The clinic’s comprehensive medical, dental and behavioral health services are available to all members of the community, not only for Native Americans. The facility provides sliding fees based on income, low income programs, and accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most major insurance plans.

For more information about the Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic, log on to www.sythc.org.

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