Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times (TNS)
Bloodworks Northwest has less than a day or two’s supply of critical blood types and platelets, and is calling for thousands of donations by Valentine’s Day.
The “dangerously low” blood supply constitutes a “Code Red,” said the Washington State Department of Health in a statement Friday.
Shortages happen periodically because blood components have relatively short shelf lives and donor turnout fluctuates, said Bloodworks Northwest government affairs spokesperson Juan Cotto. But a shortage as serious as this could affect routine surgeries and emergency care.
Type O blood and platelets in particular are in high demand for emergency treatments, surgeries and other lifesaving procedures, the health department said.
Donations nationwide have slowed due to winter weather and holidays and many blood drives were canceled, the department said. Two donor centers in Washington closed early this week because not enough donors showed up.
Rain and flooding chaos this winter also decreased donor turnout, Cotto said. Blood drives were cancelled, some centers were temporarily closed, fewer people went to donation sites and flooding complicated logistics and disrupted transportation routes.
Bloodworks Northwest and the American Red Cross are bringing in blood from other parts of the country to keep up with demand, but that model is not sustainable, the department said.
There are 38,000 open donation slots at Bloodworks through February, and 23,000 of them need to be filled by Valentine’s Day to stabilize the supply, the department said. One pint of blood donated can save up to three lives, and it takes 1,000 donors a day to keep up with demand.
You can schedule a donation and learn more about the process online at Bloodworks Northwest, Vitalant and American Red Cross. The donation will take about an hour.
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