Local Blood Supply Faces “Perfect Storm”

With confusion over post COVID-19 vaccination donation  eligibility lingering, combined with a string of unseasonably warm spring weather (when donors  tend to skip more appointments), record high blood usage at hospitals across the Pacific  Northwest, and a national blood shortage, our community blood supply is facing a “perfect  storm,” an unforeseen combination of events that’s having a significant impact on the local  blood supply. In fact, Bloodworks officials are calling it the biggest blood shortage since the  pandemic began a year ago.  

With transfusions at 118%, indicating continuing high patient need (as more surgeries are now  being scheduled) and blood supplies hovering at a 24-hour supply, Bloodworks Northwest is  making an urgent call for blood donors to book appointments now. Adding to this pressure is  lingering concern that some donors may still be confused about whether they can donate blood  after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination, leading them to delay donations unnecessarily. The  number of donors showing up for scheduled appointments has been steadily dropping since  February. In that month, the show rate was 80%, in March, it dropped to 77% and so far in  April, it’s at 73%. Assistance from blood centers across the country is limited or uncertain as a  national shortage has impacted the ability of other blood centers to respond. With so few units  of blood on the shelves, our community is one major accident away from crisis. 

Bloodworks Northwest President & CEO Curt Bailey says, “This is an alarming situation and the  community must act immediately by making appointments to donate blood and keeping those  appointmets to ensure the supply is availabile to meet this unprecedented need. It’s unheard of  that a confluence of events like what our community is facing happens, but as a frequent donor  or a new donor you’re directly helping people facing cancer, trauma, and surgeries weather this  storm.” 

For the care and safety of our community, Bloodworks Northwest is reminding the public that  donating blood is a critical activity and there is no reason to delay donating after receiving a 

COVID-19 vaccine. Bloodworks officials are also concerned about the number of  appointment cancellations due to this confusion. Bloodworks says from the beginning of the  month, more than 1,600 donors canceled or had to reschedule their appointment. Bloodworks Northwest urges community members of all blood types to rush to book  appointments at Donor Centers and Pop-Up Blood Drives in April. 

Stats: 

• Patient usage is a record high 18% above normal, resulting in 500 additional units distributed in the past 7 days. Types O positive and A positive are especially in demand. 
• Our community’s blood supply is currently 1,700 units below operational levels; meaning only an emergency 24 hour supply of all blood types is available to hospitals. 
• Type O is short 900 units, and Type A positive is short 600 units leaving empty shelves. 
• It normally takes 1,000 donors every day to maintain an operational blood supply in Western Washington and Oregon allowing our community to respond to routine needs for blood and emergencies. 

About Donating Blood: 

• There is no deferral waiting period to donate if you receive the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Novovax or AstraZeneca COVID vaccine.
• Donating blood is a safe and essential action during the pandemic. Appointments and masks are required. In accordance with current social distancing guidelines, no walk-ins, guests, or people under age 16 are permitted onsite. Bloodworks has posted information addressing  questions and concerns for blood donors at bloodworksnw.org/coronavirus. 
• Most people in good health, at least 18 years old, and who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate whole blood every 56 days. Check out our detailed eligibility Q&A or call us at 800-398- 7888.
• Donations with Bloodworks provide 95% of the lifesaving blood supply to Pacific Northwest hospitals. It takes about an hour to give blood from check-in to post-donation cookie. Information about who can donate and where, is available at www.bloodworksnw.org. 

Additional Resources: 

For the latest information on COVID-19 please visit the CDC website, Washington State  Department of Health COVID-19 main page, and Oregon Health Authority. 

Bloodworks Donor Centers and Pop-Up Centers:

Appointments and information at BloodworksNW.org or 800-398-7888.