Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC) extended its urgent appeal today for people to donate blood after a significant decline in the blood supply following the holiday season.
While donations normally dip during holiday periods, this year PSBC faces critical shortages for some blood types.
“With schools out and holiday activities over several weeks, we saw the number of blood donors fall by 20 percent,” said David Leitch, director of donor and volunteer resources for PSBC. “With supplies already low for some blood types, the risk of a post-holiday supply crisis is looming.”
There is an acute shortage of platelets and O-negative red cells – the blood type that can be given to patients with any other blood type. Although supplies of these components are especially low, PSBC welcomes donors of all blood types to maintain a strong supply for patients in need.
“We are hoping that people – from regular donors to first timers – will help us to meet the need by scheduling just one hour to save lives – by donating blood between now and Jan. 24,” Leitch said.
PSBC supports nearly 90 hospitals in the Northwest, and the demand for blood components is continuous: patients in hospitals are still undergoing surgeries, ERs are treating traumatic injuries, people are receiving treatments for cancer, and surgeons are performing organ transplants – all depending on the blood supply to be there.
Donors are welcome at any one of 12 PSBC donor centers, or they can check for community blood drives under way close to where they live or work. Information about locations and times can be found at psbc.org.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be made online atschedule.psbc.org or by phone by calling 1-800-398-7888.
Local donation center locations:
Bellevue Center
1021 112th Ave. NE
Bellevue, 98004
425-453-4011
Everett Center
2703 Oakes Ave.
Everett, 98201
425-740-2909
Lynnwood Center
19723 Highway 99, Suite F
Lynnwood, 98036
425-774-6366
North Seattle Center
10357 Stone Avenue N
Seattle, 98133
206-526-1970
