The Oregon and Southwest Washington Blood Program issued a plea for blood donors this week following a slow holiday season.
The Puget Sound Blood Center, which operates the local program, is facing critical shortages for some blood types after donations declined significantly during the holidays.
The blood center has an acute shortage of platelets and O-negative cells — the blood type that can be given to patients with any other blood type.
While supplies of those components are especially low, the center is urging donors of all blood types to donate to keep supplies at adequate levels.
