Beautiful weather and vacation plans are the makings of a perfect spring break. Unfortunately it also places an enormous strain on the fragile blood supply. Over the last few days, many Northwest donors have failed to visit local blood drives during Oregon’s spring break, resulting in 1,600 fewer donations than needed this month. The same scenario is anticipated for the upcoming weeks and will take sometime for our supply to recover.
“It’s very difficult to entice people to come in and donate blood when the weather’s nice or they have a vacation planned,” said Darrin Greenlee, Director of Donor Services for Red Cross.
In addition, hay fever and early spring colds have also contributed to low donor turnout, as donors who are not feeling their best will often cancel their appointments or simply do not show up.
All Red Cross Northwest hospital partners are supplied by one community blood supply, a shortage of blood donors in one part of the Red Cross blood region impacts over 80 hospitals in Oregon, Southwestern and Central Washington. The Red Cross is appealing to communities throughout the Northwest to help their neighbors. All eligible and healthy donors are urged to make a blood donation appointment this week.
The Sweet Home Community blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday April 20 at the Senior Center. The drive is being sponsored by St. Francis Episcopal Church.
To make an appointment to donate call Texas Driggs at 541-367-3944.
About the Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply (collecting more than six million units a year from volunteer donors) for patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to over 80 hospitals in Oregon, Washington and Southeast Alaska and must collect at least 1,000 donations a day in the Northwest. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE.