Over the last week, the Pacific Northwest's blood bank has seen a spike in demand and a frightening shortage in blood supply. This has prompted an urgent call for donors.
Bloodworks Northwestsupplies 95% of the blood to hospitals in Oregon and Washington and all of the blood in Lane County. The current shortage has left Type O positive supply at emergency levels.
Mark Smith with Bloodworks Northwest said they’ve been scrambling to find blood donors. He wants to allay any concerns about giving at this point in the pandemic.
“There may be people thinking that after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination they are out for a two-week period. And that is incorrect,” he insists. “There is absolutely no waiting period in order to donate blood.”
Appointmentsand masks are required. Smith said it takes about an hour to give blood from check in to post-donation cookie. As an additional driving force, all donors through March 17th will be entered to win a new car.