Local donor centers issue pleas for blood

Bloodworks Northwest and the American Red Cross are urging people to donate blood as donations dip during summer vacations and the current hot spell.

Bloodworks Northwest, formerly Puget Sound Blood Center, said the most needed blood types are approaching critical level, when only a two to three day supply is available.

Bloodworks Northwest needs about 900 donors per day to maintain a sufficient blood supply for the 90 Northwest hospitals it serves, which include both Clark County hospitals.

To make an appointment at Bloodworks’ Vancouver Donor Center, 9320 N.E. Vancouver Mall Blvd., Suite 100, go to schedule.bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The Red Cross is hosting its annual Celebrate Freedom Blood Drive on July 3.

Donors who give blood on July 3 will receive a Red Cross hat and a whole apple pie, while supplies last. Donors at the Red Cross Vancouver donor center, 5109 N.E. 82nd Ave., are also invited to an on-site cookout and will receive a $10 Visa gift card.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).