Port Angeles — An all-points bulletin is going out this first week of the year as Bloodworks Northwest declares a “Code Red”, encouraging people to fill immediate appointments to give blood, especially Type O and platelets. Local blood donations have fallen sharply, creating a severe blood shortage.
Over 29,700 appointment slots remain open through the end of January, and the need for donors to fill them is urgent. It takes 1,000 donors a day with Bloodworks NW to maintain the blood supply to 95% of the hospitals in Western Washington and Oregon.
To meet hospital demand, Bloodworks has had to bring in blood from other parts of the country — a temporary and unsustainable solution, especially as shortages are being felt nationwide. Code Red has been declared due to a less than one-to two-day supply of critical blood types and platelets. Without immediate action, the situation could become dire.
You do not need to know your blood type to donate blood.
Same day appointments are available at most locations. Appointments can be made at bloodworksnw.org or by calling 800-398-7888.
And to sweeten the deal, someone who gives blood in the month of January is going to win a 7-day Celebrity cruise to Alaska.