Bloodworks Northwest declared a "Code Red" emergency blood shortage on Thursday and urged the public to donate blood immediately.
Such an urgent notice occurs after four consecutive days of emergency levels in the regional blood supply, according to a news release. Bloodworks is a nonprofit organization that supplies blood to 95% of Pacific Northwest hospitals.
Blood transfusions have outpaced donations during the holiday season and winter weather, according to a Bloodworks news release. Vicki Finson, executive vice president of blood services, said the non-profit is running out of blood "fast."
"Our community must act quickly to stabilize the blood supply and ensure patients experiencing cancer can receive transfusions, surgeries aren't delayed, and our trauma centers can respond to emergencies," Finson said in the news release.
Given the shortage, Bloodworks has advised hospitals to conserve their limited on-site supplies of Type O blood and platelets for emergencies.
Type O blood can be helpful for patients with unknown blood types in emergency situations, making it an important part of the supply. About 39% of the populace has O+ blood and 9% have O- blood, according to the release.
Bloodworks says hospitals across the country have been facing shortages, so local hospitals cannot rely on help from other regions.
Bloodworks urged donors to book an appointment. As of Thursday, there were 6,300 open appointments in the next 12 days, according to the organization.
"If you've been putting off donating blood, now is the time to make an appointment," Finson said.
Any healthy adult who weighs at least 110 pounds can donate whole blood every 56 days. People can donate blood 10 days after recovering from COVID-19 symptoms.
Bloodworks operates donor centers and mobile blood drives across the region. The Olympia center is at 1220 Eastside St. SE.
Appointments can be booked at BloodworksNW.org or by calling 800-398-7888.
