Vitalant is a nonprofit organization that provides blood and plasma donations to hospitals and medical centers across the United States. The organization was founded in 1943 and has since grown to become one of the largest blood donation organizations in the country. Vitalant operates blood donation centers in 40 states and serves more than 1,000 hospitals and medical centers. The organization also conducts research into blood and plasma transfusion and works to educate the public about the importance of blood donation.