SEATTLE — There’s growing concern at Bloodworks Northwest that the surge in COVID-19 cases is leading to a drop in blood donations.
Bloodworks has seen 1,500 donation appointments canceled in the last week.
“We’ve seen the blood supply, the cancellations, the lack of donors get worse in September than it was during the summer. So, is it directly related to COVID? I’m not sure,” Vicki Finson, executive vice president of blood services at Bloodworks Northwest said.
Officials at Bloodworks Northwest are hoping the empty donor stations seen in the last week won’t become a trend.
The group said in Washington and Oregon, type O blood inventory is down 40% in just one week, while other blood materials are at critical levels.
“Even if 5,000 people came, we just couldn’t do that, so it does take time,” Finson said.
Even though Caleigh Azumaya is donating Friday, she’s a bit of an exception.
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“I try to come every three months when I’m allowed to donate again,” Azumaya said. “I have no problems donating blood so I feel like it’s something I should do. It’s easy.”
With the number of appointments canceled, Bloodworks said it could take weeks to rebuild supplies.
“If you go to make an appointment and you can’t find one for today or tomorrow, (you might think), ‘See they don’t need me.’ That’s not true. We do need you,” Finson said.
A briefing with hospital officials earlier this week discussed the impact of COVID-19. Some routine surgeries and procedures have been canceled due to crowded hospitals.
While some surgeries have been delayed, Bloodworks said demand for blood is even higher with the delta variant surge.
“My belief is we will see a huge increase in a need for blood when this surge is over and we are not prepared for that,” Finson said.
Patients are coming to eastern Washington from Idaho due to a lack of intensive care unit beds there. The rise of COVID-19 cases in northern Idaho even prompted Gov. Jay Inslee to urge Idaho to implement precautions.
“We certainly need our friends in Idaho government to do more to preserve their citizens’ health, because we know their medical crisis is becoming our problem,” Inslee said.
There are 2,000 open appointments in the next two weeks, and Finson said she hopes they are filled sooner than later.
“Spend an hour and feel great about the fact that what you did really mattered. It gave someone back time with their friends, with their family and loved ones, and allowed them to continue to live,” Finson said.
To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-398-7888 or follow this link.
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