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Seattle — A half-day supply is all that remains on the near-empty shelves at Bloodworks Northwest. It has again declared a “Code Red” alarm to combat the “most prolonged, most severe blood shortage in recent years,” affecting local hospitals and trauma centers across the Pacific Northwest. Bloodworks cannot fill all hospital orders with dangerously low supplies of Type O and A. Hospitals are conserving their limited onsite supplies to maintain a supply for emergencies. Donors in Western Washington and Oregon may respond to this emergency by booking and keeping appointments to donate every 56 days.

The dramatic rise in the omicron variant of COVID-19 means fewer donors are available to donate. Donors can safely donate the same day they get their COVID vaccine booster. Same day blood donation appointments are available at most locations, and appointments in the next three weeks are just as vital. Universal Type O blood is extremely important, especially for trauma and emergency situations when the patient’s blood type in unknown.

January is National Blood Donor Month, and with a blood shortage that is nothing short of a national public health emergency, the importance of blood donors is keenly felt. Nearly 1,100 open appointments need to be filled in next 10 days.

Donate at: Bellingham Center, 410 W Bakerview Road, Suite 117, Bellingham 98226, 360-671-8848 or Everett Center, 2703 Oakes Avenue, Everett, 98201, 425-740-2909.

–Source: Bloodworks Northwest