SEATTLE — The Washington state Department of Health, Bloodworks Northwest and others honored World Blood Donor Day on Friday by thanking current donors and encouraging more people to step up and give, especially heading into a time when demand tends to increase while donations go down.
"Whether it's a young child going through a situation at children's hospital or someone who is undergoing cancer treatment at a local cancer center here in Seattle, they'll get blood that will provide a lifesaving contribution to the treatment they need in the experience they're going through," Bloodworks Northwest Director of Government Affairs Juan Cotto said.
Blood from the nonprofit supports hospitals from Eugene, Oregon to Bellingham. The blood bank is also part of a consortium that supports other regions. For example, after a weather disaster, the southeast may need more support while the northwest is able to provide.
Dr. Barclay Stewart, a trauma, burn and critical care surgeon at Harborview Medical Center, sees the need for blood close-up.
"Particularly in busy seasons like the summer, we see patients injured from road crashes, falls, violence and they're always the worst days of those patients' lives," Stewart said. "Without blood, it's a life threatening problem. We're grateful as a hospital, health system, and frankly, I'm grateful as a citizen that should I be injured, should my family be injured, that blood donors are available and giving and give regularly."
Bloodworks Northwest is currently working on several efforts to increase its donor base, especially among younger generations.
"For a long time we depended upon a population that was familiar with World War II and had come out of that era and they understood the importance of blood donation as a community and national activity," Cotto said. "Our recent campaigns have really attempted to connect with younger donors, in particular, to make sure they understand the importance."
Cotto said the legislature has been supportive of efforts to increase donation. In the next legislative session, they look forward to discussing measures that would add education about blood donation into curriculum and put blood type on driver's licenses -- both to help first responders and to remind cardholders about blood donation.
To sign up to schedule a blood donation, click here.