Roll'em Up, Richmond Beach! Blood donors needed Saturday

PSBC researcher at work
Photo courtesy PSBC

By Tom Petersen

Time to roll up some sleeves and roll up some big numbers for a good cause. 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 this Saturday, September 6. 

People who donated earlier this summer, 8 or more weeks ago, are reminded of the PSBC's "Give Twice This Summer" campaign, and first timers or people who had gotten out of the habit are encouraged to come on down!

PSBC researcher
Photo courtesy PSBC

Always In Demand

Recent media reports have noted that innovations in surgical procedures have lessened the number of blood transfusions conducted nationwide. In other parts of the country, demand has slackened and some for-profit blood banks have been closed. The Puget Sound Blood Center is a non-profit, however, and is also one of the world's leading institutions for blood research: a portion of all blood collected by PSBC is used for scientific purposes. Therefore, it's as important as ever that experienced donors return, and that new donors join them.

Safety in Numbers

Donating blood is an easy and safe thing to do, and PSBC adheres to the highest standards of hygiene and donor comfort. In a world where more and more people travel and unexpected outbreaks of disease send doctors scrambling, though, all Blood Centers have tightened restrictions to make sure nothing gets into the blood supply. Some otherwise healthy potential donors have been disqualified as a precaution because of past travel or contact with at-risk populations. This means it is ever more important that past donors continue to come to the bloodmobiles, and that they bring some first-timer friends!

Make History, and an Appointment

The Richmond Beach Blood Drive is approaching two milestones: registering its 1000th donor, and drawing the 100th gallon. Both these will be reached by the end of 2014, if the drive keeps up its average turnout. Also, the Puget Sound Blood Center will celebrate its 70th anniversary this October. Being a part of this is as easy as walking up to the bloodmobile on Saturday; donors are encouraged to make an appointment by searching blood drives under Donor Programs at www.psbc.org.