Community Health & Wellness
Nonprofit seeks donations amid dangerously low supply of some critical blood types
Nonprofit Bloodworks Northwest issued a “Code Red Alert” Monday, signaling a dangerously low blood supply available for Western Washington hospitals.
Health & Wellness Sponsor
Health and Wellness stories are made possible in part by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.
Bloodworks said in a statement it raises the alert when it has only a one- to two-day supply of critical blood types and platelets used by medical providers for emergencies and life-saving treatments. To meet demand, the agency brought in blood from other parts of the country, a temporary solution it says is unsustainable.
People — especially those with Type O Blood critical for trauma care — are being asked to immediately schedule donation appointments to restore supplies. Through the end of January, Bloodworks says it has 29,700 open donation slots and without immediate action the situation could become dire.
“[This] single act can save multiple lives,” Bloodworks President and CEO Curt Bailey said. “Right now, those lives depend on all of us giving together.”
Bloodworks Northwest runs a donation center near at 3230 NW Randall Way in Silverdale. The closest donation center in Pierce County is at 13613 Meridian E., Suite 12, in Puyallup.
Blood drives
Several mobile blood drives are also scheduled on the Kitsap Peninsula over the next month. They include:
- Peninsula Baptist Church, 6127 38th Ave. in Gig Harbor, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 12.
- 4700 Point Fosdick Drive NW in Gig Harbor, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 3.
- Bainbridge Island Fire Department, 8895 N. Madison Ave NE, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 15.
- Poulsbo Town & Country Market, 20148 10th Ave NE, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 15.
Most people in good health who are at least 18 years old and weigh 110 or more pounds can donate blood every 56 days, according to Bloodworks. Individuals do not need to know their blood type prior to donating. The donation process from intake to completion takes about an hour. Appointments and information are available at BloodworksNW.org.