The Washington state Department of Health (DOH) and the Northwest Blood Coalition are requesting blood donations from eligible donors, according to a joint statement released by the two groups.
High school and college students make up about a quarter of blood donations, according to the Northwest Blood Coalition.
The Northwest Blood Coalition is made up of four blood donation centers serving Washington state, Vitalant, Cascade Regional Blood Centers, Bloodworks Northwest and the American Red Cross.
“Blood centers enthusiastically welcome students back to school,” said Curt Bailey, president and CEO at Bloodworks Northwest. “We want to engage those interested in the rewarding, lifesaving act of donating blood — whether they’ve done it before or it’s their first time.”
Vitalant Regional Director Jennifer Hawkins called high school and college aged students “critically important members” of the coalition’s donor base.
According to the statement, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. Donated blood is used by those undergoing surgeries, receiving cancer treatments, experiencing complications from childbirth and other serious conditions. Despite the importance of blood donations, the country, including Washington state, continues to experience blood supply shortages.
“We know that people want to help. Donations tend to slow when school is on break and summer activities are happening,” said Christine Swinehart, president and CEO at Cascade Regional Blood Centers. “As we look toward fall, we want to remind folks that now is a great time to donate.”
To learn more and to donate blood, please visit the websites for the blood centers listed above.
