'Critical' Blood Shortage In Puget Sound: Bloodworks Northwest

SEATTLE, WA - The region's main blood bank is a reporting a critical shortage of blood as donations dwindle due to hot weather and other factors.

Bloodworks Northwest has only about a two-day supply of blood on hand. The region's blood supply needs about 800 donors a day to keep a four-day supply on hand for anything from routine surgeries to major emergencies.

Supplies are down because donors are on break from school or on vacation, according to Bloodworks.

“We never know when the next natural or man-made disaster like Hurricane Harvey, the Amtrak 501
derailment or Las Vegas shooting will take place and we need to be ready. The blood already collected
and on the shelves allows us to respond to emergencies when they happen. We can be prepared if our
generous donors step up like they did last year during those disasters," Bloodworks CEO Dr. James P. AuBuchon said in a statement.

Bloodworks accepts any blood donations, but the bank especially needs O blood type and platelets. Bloodworks operates a dozen donation centers between Bellingham and Eugene, Ore. You can make an appointment by visiting bloodworksnw.org or by calling 1-800-398-7888.

Image via Shutterstock