Spring Break and the timing of Easter this year is triggering a need for donors to help meet blood demands in Northwest hospitals.
"A dip in donor collections is normal during spring break and other scheduled high school and college vacations," James P. AuBuchon, MD, president and CEO of Bloodworks Northwest wrote in a statement. "But when you add in a very early Easter, it translates into more donors than usual out of town at the same time, and a sharp slowdown of people at our centers and mobile drives."
There is an increased need for the O blood type and platelets. However, all types are welcomed and needed. Type O is the most common in the Northwest at 48 percent of the population. Type O is also the universal blood type that can be transfused to any patient in an emergency.
Donating blood takes less than one hour and can potentially save three lives each time you donate.
Appointments can be made online at schedule.bloodworksnw.org or by calling 1-800-398-7888.
