Blood donations

There is a critical need for blood donations, and donating can be done safely.

While Covid-19 isn’t resulting in an increase in the need for blood for treatment of the Covid-19 symptoms, it is dramatically decreasing the quantity of blood that can be collected by collection agencies, as schools, offices, etc. where blood is often collected are shut down. Blood is still needed to treat other illnesses and injuries. Blood donation centers remain open and are still collecting and are using distancing, advanced scheduling, and of course sterile collection techniques to keep donors and recipients safe.

Donations must be scheduled to maximize distancing which is having the effect of decreasing the blood donation centers’ capacity to collect blood. The blood centers’ scheduling websites are full for the next few weeks making it appear as though there must be plenty of donations occurring. However, fewer donations are occurring due to this required appointment spacing. It is critical that donations are scheduled to provide for the blood supply and so blood centers can forecast their supply.

Donations from universal donors (O negative) are especially critical. Make an appointment and commit to attending your appointment when scheduled:

Northwest area donations: https://www.bloodworksnw.org/donate

All other locations: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive