There are over 13,000 open blood donation appointments in WA state. Here’s how to donate
After a series of winter storms that impacted schools, transportation and business, the Washington State Department of Health is calling on Washingtonians to come out and donate blood.
DOH is warning that the state is on the verge of a “Code Red,” a critical supply shortage warning that goes out to hospitals and emergency rooms.
Types O+, A- and B- are in particularly short supply. Type O-, also known as the universal donor type, is also needed, but it’s very rare.
How do you donate blood?
An appointment to donate to one of the state’s blood banks can be made online through several statewide and regional organizations.
Each appointment takes about an hour, maybe a little longer. To learn more about eligibility requirements and where to donate, state residents can visit one of the Northwest Blood Coalition member websites:
What is a Code Red?
When it comes to blood bank supplies, a Code Red is typically declared when there have been four days in a row with emergency blood levels. In this case, the winter weather, coupled with the typical holiday slowdown, has created an urgent need for more donations.
One donation partner, Bloodworks Northwest, has 13,000 open and available donation appointments in January alone.
“It’s typically something we don’t declare more than once every year or two,” stated John Yeager, senior media content strategist at Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle, in a press release. “Conditions need to come together like a ‘perfect storm’ in order to really jeopardize the blood supply.”
This story was originally published January 19, 2024 at 11:56 AM.
