Give Twice this summer, starting Saturday

By Tom Petersen

The rechristened Bloodworks mobile unit will be at the Shoreline Fire Safety Center in Richmond Beach this Saturday as part of the annual “Give Twice This Summer” campaign.

It will be there, on the corner of Richmond Beach Road at 195th and 20th Ave NW, from 10am to 4pm, closing for lunch between noon and 1.

Appointments are encouraged but not required. They can be made online. Walk-ups are welcome, particularly in the early afternoon hours.

The “Give Twice This Summer” campaign was started years ago while the service was still known as the Puget Sound Blood Center. 

Inspiring this year’s Richmond Beach neighborhood theme, “We Show Up!,” donors have filled the bus to near-capacity every June and August. This helps meet critical needs as vacation mishaps and scheduled surgeries tax the blood supply.

Prospective donors on this upcoming hot weekend might like to know that the bloodmobile is air conditioned.

Donating blood takes about 45 minutes door to door and most healthy adults are eligible. People who are not sure are encouraged to check in and do the questionnaire to find out. Some travel, health, and medication restrictions do disqualify some, so Bloodworks is always looking for new donors to make giving blood a habit.