Bloodworks Northwest, which provides blood to 95% of Pacific Northwest hospitals, is urgently seeking blood donors. The organization declared a ”code red” emergency in a Tuesday, Jan. 30 news release as it faces a “severe blood shortage” in Western Washington and Oregon.
Bloodworks Northwest President and CEO Curt Bailey said in the news release that the holidays and then the cold snap “kept donors away” and they’re now facing pressure on the blood supply.
“Our community needs to act quickly to stabilize the blood supply and ensure patients experiencing cancer can receive transfusions, surgeries aren’t delayed and our trauma centers can respond to emergencies,” Bailey said in the news release.
According to this week’s community blood supply forecast, under 30% of appointments are booked starting the week of Feb. 11 to the week of March 10. Same-day appointments are available at most locations.
In Whatcom County, people can donate blood at the Bellingham Donor Center at 410 W. Bakerview Road, #117. The City of Bellingham is hosting a blood drive on Feb. 16 at 210 Lottie St., and Lynden High School is hosting a drive on Feb. 20.
In Skagit County, people can donate blood at the Anacortes Community Blood Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 611 R Ave., at the Skagit County Community Blood Drive on Feb. 22 at 2529 N. Laventure Ave., or at La Conner High School on Feb. 23.
