The Drive at Five - blood donations in Richmond Beach approaching milestones

Richmond Beach Blood Drive, Saturday, December 21, 10am to 4pm, Fire Safety Center, RB Road

Robert and Deanna of D'z barbershop celebrate
the first 30-Donor day in Richmond Beach, May, 2010.

By Tom Petersen

The Richmond Beach Blood Drive passed its fifth birthday in 2013 and by the end of next year should reach two impressive milestones almost simultaneously: the 1000th donor registration in the community, and the 100th gallon donated.

The drive was started by Richmond Beach Teen Librarian Aarene Storms, and the first two events were held on weekday afternoons in the library meeting room. The King County Library System had qualms about holding the drive there, with six consecutive hours devoted to one activity.

Shoreline Fire Department public relations officer Melanie Granfors then facilitated the move to the Fire Safety Center, where the Puget Sound Blood Center has parked its mobile unit 30 Saturdays since.

The Blood Center sends its mobile units out over 1000 times a year all around Puget Sound. The blood drives range from weekly appearances at large institutions like Boeing, to massive events once or twice a year at high schools, to little three-hour stops at churches and clubs. The Richmond Beach blood drives are actually a rare breed: instead of drawing from a defined pool of donors, as at a church, school, or industry, Richmond Beach is an open-to-all neighborhood drive dependent on goodwill, good habits and good memories among residents.

About 300 different residents of Shoreline, Edmonds, Woodway, and the north end of Seattle have come to the Richmond Beach blood drive, over the years.

Target 2014: 1000 Donors!

Each time someone checks in at the bloodmobile, it counts as someone’s sincere effort to help save lives and give back to the community. Richmond Beach averaged 25 registrations through October 2013, and if the average holds up, the 1000th registration will take place during the last event of 2014.

Neighborhood drive coordinator Tom Petersen is planning celebrations and inviting ideas for commemorative swag. About 300 different residents of Richmond Beach, surrounding neighborhoods, Edmonds, Woodway, and the north end of Seattle have contributed to this total.

Richmond Beach held possibly the coldest blood drive ever:
12 degrees in December 2009

Hundreds Helped

Every unit of blood collected helps as many as three patients. An average of 20 usable pints have been donated at Richmond Beach each drive, and if the neighborhood can keep that up, the 100 gallon mark will be reached in either October or December of 2014. At every blood drive, a donor or two is deferred because of recent travel to at-risk nations or the use of medications that may cause adverse reactions in transfusion patients. Sometimes a unit or two must be discarded because the donors turned out to have illnesses.

Urgent Need in December, January

The holidays are a time for giving, and the need for blood is always acute. The PSBC is asking for donors to pledge now to donate this Winter. New donors are encouraged (as they say in Richmond Beach: Bring a friend!). Appointments can be made online or by calling 800-398-7888. Donations can also be made on other days at other open drives, or by visiting the permanent facilities in Lynnwood and North Seattle.

Warm Hearts for a Cold Day: Donate December 21

On the first day of winter, Saturday, December 21, the Puget Sound Blood Center’s mobile unit will be in front of the Shoreline Fire Safety Center, at the corner of Richmond Beach Road and 20th Ave NW, from 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch 12-1.) Take a cookies-and-juice break from the season’s hustle and bustle and give the gift that will be the most appreciated!