Courtesy Photo, Bloodworks Northwest

Courtesy Photo, Bloodworks Northwest

Bloodworks Northwest plans Pop-Up Donor Center at Kent Station

Blood donations needed

  • Monday, June 29, 2020 3:27pm
  • News

Bloodworks Northwest is setting up a Pop-Up Donor Center at the former Coldwater Creek Store at the Kent Station shopping center in an effort to increase donations.

The Kent site, 417 Ramsay Way, Suite 110, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 1-31. Appointments are required. Go to schedule.bloodworksnw.org.

“Summer is always a challenging time for blood collection and now with the pandemic reducing donations, the supply is already at the point where inventories of the most-needed blood types are fast approaching critical and emergency levels – meaning a severe blood shortage is ahead of us without community action,” said Curt Bailey, Bloodworks Northwest president and CEO, in a news release. “The availability of an adequate blood supply is crucial for the care and safety of patients at our hospitals and trauma centers and must be replenished. The community must not wait to make appointments to donate in the days and weeks ahead.”

Blood centers throughout the country are reporting inventories falling to their lowest levels since the early stages of the pandemic as the nation’s hospitals resume elective surgeries, according to Bloodworks Northwest. Locally, Bloodworks is bracing for a severe summer blood shortage anticipating a shortfall of 6,000 donations through the July Fourth holiday due to low donor turnout. A shortage this large could impact the availability of blood to the hospitals and trauma centers.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many surgeries were cancelled or postponed and the healthcare system is now working hard to catch up,” said Dr. Eileen Bulger, Harborview trauma surgeon. “In addition, emergency surgery for serious injuries can’t be postponed and the summer season is the busiest time for our Level 1 Trauma center at Harborview Medical Center. We rely on blood donors and Bloodworks Northwest to ensure that we have the life-saving blood products needed at this critical time.”

First-time and repeat donors are urged to make their one-hour donation appointment today as a safe and essential action to support local patients. There is no inherent risk of getting coronavirus from the donation procedure itself, but Bloodworks follows all CDC and local health guidelines and is taking extra precautions to protect staff and donors, including requiring donation appointments, continuous sanitation, prohibiting guests and asking donors to bring a mask/face covering to their donation. Bloodworks has posted information addressing questions and concerns for blood donors at bloodworksnw.org/coronavirus.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Man, 27, pleads guilty to fatal shooting at Kent apartments

Ongoing feud between two men ended with 2023 killing at Dockside Apartments parking lot

t
Kent city corrections officer on leave for alleged misconduct

Investigation started Feb. 28 against Sgt. Travis Reed and is ongoing

Courtesy Photo, Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care
Valley Cities to host community chat in Kent about fentanyl

Learn more about the fentanyl crisis affecting King County communities and Valley Cities response

t
City of Kent plans to once again market Naden property

Leaders hope right deal with developer can be found this time for city-owned land

t
Smoke alarm alerts Kent resident to house fire in kitchen

Fire that started after stove burner unintentionally left on displaces family of nine

Photo courtesy of Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC)
County seeks information for animal cruelty case near Auburn

Three dogs were found off of Green Valley Highway with swollen muzzles, indicating abuse.

U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle. Courtesy Photo, DOJ
Kent man faces charge for possession of child sexual abuse images

Man, 53, part of nationwide crackdown led by FBI that led to 205 arrests

Photo of Natalie Gulizia. Photo courtesy of Dignity Memorial.
Kent woman sentenced for murdering daughter in Renton

Natalie Gulizia was 14 when her mother shot her in the head.

Panther Lake Elementary, 10200 SE 216th St., in the Kent School District. Panther Lake, Daniel and Meridian Elementary schools were recognized by the state for student success. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
State honors three Kent elementary schools for student success

George T. Daniel, Meridian and Panther Lake receive recognition

t
City leaders, residents celebrate reopening of Kent Commons

Community center received $1.5 million renovation

Protesters against the Trump administration hit the streets May 1 in Covington. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
May Day rally in Covington attracts Trump protesters | Photos

At least 4th such rally in city; part of national and global opposition to presidential decisions

Courtesy Photo, State of Washington
Candidate filing begins for 9 Washington state legislative seats

Candidates can begin filing at 8 a.m. Monday (May 5) for more than 3,200 seats on city councils, county commissions, school boards, and special districts.