American Red Cross celebrates launch of its Los Donates (The Donors) campaign with event on Sept. 18 at NAU

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the American Red Cross launched its first Los Donates (The Donors) campaign in Northern Arizona. Photo by Asher Furedy / American Red Cross

FLAGSTAFF — While nearly 60 percent of Hispanics have blood type O, the most needed blood type for emergencies and transfusions, less than 1% currently donate in Arizona, according to officials from the American Red Cross. To improve that percentage, and save lives, the organization brought its Los Donates (The Donors) campaign to Northern Arizona.

A ceremony celebrating the event was held on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the International Pavilion at Northern Arizona, featuring a variety of community leaders touting the need to increase blood donations by local Hispanics.

The event was held just outside a room where more than 75 NAU student, faculty and staff had signed up for the campus-wide blood drive. An additional 76 were scheduled to donate blood on Friday.

This is the Red Cross’ 2nd annual Los Donantes campaign, a which seeks to engage the Hispanic community in culturally meaningful ways and encouraging lifesaving donations.

During the event, Henning Larsen, executive director of the newly formed Northern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross, introduces such guest speakers as Flagstaff City Councilmember David Spence (who sported his blood donation bandage, one of 60 donations he has give over the years), Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez, Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) Vice Chair Frank Moraga, and other official including Mario Brown, National Bio-Medical Partnerships Manager.

Ballet Folkorico de Colores — Flagstaff also provided the opening and closing entertainment.

Those wishing to schedule an appointment to make a donation during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2025) can download an app or go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/login

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

Henning Larsen, executive director of the newly formed Northern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross, makes opening remarks and introductions of guest speakers on Sept. 18, 2025.

Guests had the opportunity to enjoy some Pan Dulce, coffee from Mayan Winds Coffee Emporium in Flagstaff and gain information about the Los Donates campaign launching in Flagstaff on Sept. 18, 2025.

Flagstaff City Councilmember David Spence shows his commitment to donating blood by showing his bandage from a recent event.

Frank X. Moraga, vice chair of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), speaks of the importance of sharing information of sharing the need of blood donations by the Hispanic community. Photo by Asher Furedy / American Red Cross.

Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez talked about the importance of reaching out to the local Hispanic community to boost blood donation efforts.

Jeffery McKay, vIce president of Capital Planning and Campus Operations at Northern Arizona University and board member of the Northern Arizona Chapter of the Red Cross, said Los Donates is not just a campaign but a movement powered by the people that will succeed if “leaders in the community step forward to host blood drives and encourage their networks to donate as well.”

Mario Brown, National Bio-Medical Partnerships Manager and member of the diverse donor initiative, stressed the importance of launching the Los Donates program in Northern Arizona.