Blood centers across Washington state say the shortage shows no signs of letting up and donors are urgently needed
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Washington State Blood Coalition, is encouraging eligible donors to give blood this summer.
In addition to celebrating World Blood Donor Day on June 14, blood centers in Washington state are preparing for the summer months ahead — which is a critical time for blood donations.
“Blood donations usually start to drop around this time of year due to summer schedule and vacations,” said Curt Bailey, president and chief executive officer, Bloodworks Northwest. “But we need everyone’s help to keep our blood supply stable for those who need it.”
The call for donations this summer is especially urgent due to an ongoing nationwide blood shortage. Earlier this year the American Red Cross announced a blood crisis, citing its worst blood shortage in over a decade. Governor Jay Inslee and Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health, have urged people in Washington to donate blood if able to do so.
“Donating blood is a safe activity that can save lives,” said Andrew Rose, COVID-19 incident commander, Washington State Department of Health, whose team in the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response meets regularly with local blood centers to monitor safety and supply.
All types of blood are needed for cancer treatment, trauma cases, and many other situations. A donation appointment usually takes less than an hour and includes a donor screening process to evaluate each person’s temperature, current health and travel history. Actual donation time is about 10 minutes.
“Our primary focus is to ensure a safe and reliable blood supply in our community,” says Angel Montes, Regional Donor Services executive, American Red Cross, explaining the blood center coalition’s call to action.
Christine Swinehart, executive director, Cascade Regional Blood Services, added, “We know that people care and will step up when they learn how important the need is. We’re here to make the process as easy as possible.”
More information about donating blood, including how to schedule an appointment and updates related to COVID-19, is available from local blood centers:
Vitalant https://www.vitalant.org/
Cascade Regional Blood Services https://www.crbs.net/
Bloodworks Northwest https://www.bloodworksnw.org/
American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/local/washington.html/
The DOH website is a source for a healthy dose of information. Find it on Facebook and follow on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
Also read:
- No cops hired so far with WA’s new $100M grant program
Washington’s new $100 million police hiring grant program has not yet distributed funds, as local officials cite technical issues and bureaucratic hurdles - Six individuals indicted after allegedly transporting more than 500 workers across border
Federal prosecutors announced indictments against six individuals accused of obtaining fraudulent H-2A visas and transporting hundreds of farmworkers to Washington state. - Opinion: The upside-down world of Washington Democrats
Nancy Churchill criticizes Washington Democrats over HB 2034, LEOFF 1 pension funds, and a proposed income tax, urging residents to oppose the bill ahead of a Feb. 26 hearing. - Natural gas leak mitigated near 44th Street and 123rd Avenue
Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to a natural gas leak near 44th Street and 123rd Avenue, evacuating 71 homes and impacting approximately 307 residents. - Letter: ‘Only madmen and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun!’
Vancouver resident Debra Kalz uses a historical analogy involving King Henry VIII to question decisions surrounding a bridge with light rail. - Hockinson student joins Rep. Kevin Waters in Olympia to serve as a House page
Hockinson Middle School student Ary’el Dutton served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives in Olympia, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Waters. - Opinion: Eight years of stormwater pollution at King St & West 12th St. in men’s ShareHouse Neighborhood
Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi questions whether chronic contamination near King Street and West 12th Street meets federal and state stormwater permit standards.
