WA residents urged to donate blood due to ‘code red’ low levels

Four consecutive days of emergency low blood supplies has led to shortages needed for transfusions and treatment.

The Washington Department of Health (DOH) has declared a “code red” as the state’s blood banks are reporting low blood levels, and is urging residents to donate.

In a Jan. 29 press release, cold weather and dangerous driving conditions are attributed to the drop in available blood supplies. “This has led to shortages of available blood for transfusions and treatment, particularly for Type O blood, both negative and positive, and platelets,” said DOH.

One thousand donors a day are needed to keep up with the demand for blood and after four consecutive days of emergency low blood levels throughout the state, residents are encouraged to make an appointment to donate. The DOH says that one pint of donated blood can save up to three lives by providing red blood cells, plasma, or platelets to people in need.

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Residents can find places to donate through the Northwest Blood Coalitions, which include American Red Cross, Bloodworks Northwest and Vitalant.