Washington part of nationwide blood shortage this winter

SILVERDALE — Arriving at the Bloodworks NW’s donation center late Thursday morning, Meg Hall is thrilled to see a full parking lot out front. A half dozen patients are already inside the small office building, a couple miles from St. Michael Medical Center, ready to donate their blood and platelets.

Blood donations generally have a post-holiday slowdown each January, says Hall, Bloodworks director of community engagement. This year is no exception, and the environment has been made worse by the atmospheric river and record flooding that rocked the region throughout December.

Amid a severe shortage of blood and thousands of unfilled donation appointments, Bloodworks NW issued a “Code Red” alert, encouraging donations. The alert indicates a one to two-day supply of critical blood types and platelets, with type O blood and platelets in particularly high demand.

“One donation can save up to three lives,” Hall said. “[Donating] takes such a small amount of time and it makes a huge impact.”

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/04/washington-part-of-nationwide-blood-shortage-this-winter/