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To release immediately: September 15, 2022 (22-143)
Contact: DOH relations
Back-to-school season is a critical time for our blood supply.
Olympia – As summer ends and the school year begins, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Northwest Blood Coalition are urging eligible blood donors to donate.
According to the Northwest Blood Alliance, high school and college students account for 25 percent of blood donations. “High school students and college-aged youth are the most important members of our donor base,” said Jennifer Hawkins, Vitalant regional director.
The Northwest Blood Alliance is comprised of four blood donation centers currently serving Washington State: Important, Cascade Regional Blood Centers, BloodworksNWAnd American Red Cross Northwest region. According to Red Cross Regional Services Executive Director Angel Montes, “Northwest Blood Alliance’s primary focus is ensuring a safe, reliable blood supply for our community. DOH will partner with the Coalition to support this critical work.
“Blood centers welcome students back to school,” said Curt Bailey, president and CEO of BloodworksNW. We want to get people interested in the rewarding and life-saving act of donating blood, whether they’ve done it before or for the first time.
Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Donated blood is critical for surgeries, cancer treatments, blood disorder treatments, birth complications, and other serious conditions and injuries. However, blood shortages continue to be a concern nationwide, and Washington State is no exception.
We know people want to help. Christine Swinhart, president and CEO of Cascade Regional Blood Center, added that donations tend to decrease when school is out and summer activities are underway. “As we head into fall, we want to remind people that now is a great time to donate!”
To learn more and schedule an appointment, please visit the blood center websites linked above.
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