The back-to-school season is a critical time for the blood supply
As summer ends and the school year begins, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Northwest Blood Coalition urge eligible blood donors to schedule donations.
According to the Northwest Blood Coalition, high school and college students make up almost 25 percent of blood donations. “High schoolers and college-age youth are critically important members of our donor base,” shared Vitalant Regional Director Jennifer Hawkins.
The Northwest Blood Coalition is formed by four blood donation centers currently serving Washington state: Vitalant, Cascade Regional Blood Centers, BloodworksNW, and the American Red Cross Northwest Region. As Red Cross Regional Services Executive Angel Montes describes, “The Northwest Blood Coalition’s primary focus is to ensure a safe, reliable blood supply for our community.” DOH collaborates with the coalition to support this vital work.
“Blood centers enthusiastically welcome students back to school,” said Curt Bailey, president and CEO at BloodworksNW. “We want to engage those interested in the rewarding, lifesaving act of donating blood — whether they’ve done it before or it’s their first time.”
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Donated blood is crucial for those undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, blood disorder treatments, complications from childbirth, and other serious conditions and injuries. However, blood supply shortages continue to be a nationwide concern, and Washington state is no exception.
“We know that people want to help. Donations tend to slow when school is on break and summer activities are happening,” added Christine Swinehart, president and CEO at Cascade Regional Blood Centers. “As we look toward fall, we want to remind folks that now is a great time to donate!”
To learn more and schedule an appointment, visit the blood center websites linked above.
The DOH website is a source for a healthy dose of information. Find on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
Also read:
- CCSO discovers human remains in homeless campOn Monday, CCSO patrol deputies, acting on an online report from a resident, located partially decomposed human remains in a tent structure at a transient camp in the wooded area north of NE 179th St near NE 10th Ave.
- Union High School baseball celebrates those who serve at Honor GameThe Union High School baseball team invited veterans, first responders, and educators to their game against Battle Ground on Tuesday to participate in their Honor Game, celebrating those who serve others.
- If voters decide to repeal WA Cares, will the state refund tax collections?If voters approve Initiative 2124 this November to repeal the program known as WA Cares, workers can opt out of having 58 cents out of every $100 earned deducted from their paychecks.
- County Permit Center moves to new office in Public Service CenterThe Clark County Permit Center has a new home within the Public Service Center.
- City of Vancouver wants to hear from the public about city manager recruitment surveyThe city recently launched a nationwide recruitment process to hire Vancouver’s next city manager.
- Vancouver Fire responds to house fireOn Tuesday (April 23) at 3:45 p.m., the Vancouver Fire Department was called for a house fire at 100 S. Knoxville Way.
- Ridgefield School District school bond proposal rejected by votersThe first results of the April 23 special election show the school bond proposal in the Ridgefield School District is currently failing approval.