The efforts of blood drive coordinators throughout the state were applauded on Feb. 13 at Valentines for Life, Vitalant’s premier annual awards event, presented by PNC Bank. Vitalant is Arizona’s largest non-profit community blood provider for 100% of the hospitals in Northern Arizona and over 90% statewide. Last year, volunteer blood drive coordinators from 1,653 organizations hosted 4,200 blood drives across Arizona!
Honored guests at the Valentines for Life event heard an extraordinary story of resilience from Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan. At just 22 years old, Moldovan was shot eight times on Dec. 14, 2021, and spent more than a month on life support. Thanks to the generosity of Arizona blood donors, he survived and began an incredible journey of recovery. In April 2023, he threw out the first pitch at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ home opener with support from his wife, Chelsea. Today, Officer Moldovan stands as a powerful symbol of perseverance and hope for the Phoenix community and the Phoenix Police Department.
Of the organizations that hosted blood drives across the state last year, 95 organizations earned the Impact Award, Vitalant’s most prestigious honor for blood drive coordinators across Arizona, including Nicole Young of Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department Blood Drive Coordinators earning the Impact Award, provided the largest impact on the blood supply by going above and beyond with outstanding blood drive planning, as well as recruiting donors during times of the year when the need was most critical. In 2025, Young’s blood drive had 287 successful donations, collecting 338 lifesaving blood products.
Vitalant Arizona recently increased the daily donation need from 600 to 700 donors. Blood Drive Coordinators like Young, the community of Holbrook, and additional Holbrook sponsors and Blood Drive Coordinators like Colleen Smith-Murph of Navajo County, and Cayla Serna of Holbrook High School, ensure that lifesaving blood products are available for Arizona hospital patients.
