News

Donors Respond to Blood Supply Emergency, But Reserves Still Depleted

JANUARY 27, 2012, SEATTLE — Blood and platelet donors across Western Washington responded strongly to an urgent appeal last Friday from Puget Sound Blood Center as winter storms caused the regional blood supply to fall to emergency levels. Snow and icy road conditions last week caused cancellation of almost all blood drives and a drastic reduction in donor visits to blood centers. Lost donations exceeded 2200 units.

"We are deeply grateful to donors who attended our blood centers and blood drives on this week, which help stabilized the supply," said Dr. James P. AuBuchon, president and chief executive officer of Puget Sound Blood Center. "But we still have a considerable ways to go to restore the blood supply back to normal levels."

"If you haven't given blood recently, we're asking donors to make a special effort this week to donate," he said. "Donors provide a live-saving gift, and we're counting on sustained support from donors and the community to replenish our blood supply by the end of this month."

There is a special need for O-negative blood donors -- universal donors whose blood can be transfused to patients with any other blood type.

Information about locations and times to give blood can be found at psbc.org. People can go to one of 11 donor centers in Western Washington (list follows), or check online for community blood drives underway closer to where they live or work. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-800-398-7888

About Puget Sound Blood Center
Puget Sound Blood Center is an independent, community-based nonprofit organization with a tradition blending volunteerism, medical science, education and research to advance transfusion medicine and improve patient care. Patients with leukemia, cancer, burns, hemophilia and traumatic injuries depend on Blood Center research. A recognized leader in transfusion medicine, the Blood Center serves patients in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 Western Washington counties, as well as providing tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest. For more information, contact: David Larsen, Director of Communications at 206-233-3358 or DavidLa@psbc.org. or visit psbc.org.

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