Bloodworks Northwest has appealed for donors as Type O positive blood supply drops to its lowest level in almost three years.
The organization says the Type O positive blood supply has fallen to its lowest level since 2024, creating an urgent need for blood donors.
“Blood usage at our hospitals remains high. Type O blood is essential for trauma care in our region,” writes Bloodworks Northwest organizer John Yeager. “A single trauma patient can require a transfusion of 10 or more units in just 24 hours.”
For example, according to Yeager, one Portland-area woman required 37 units to survive complications from maternal hemorrhaging.
Bloodworks Northwest says you don’t need to know your blood type to make an appointment. About 39% of the population has Type O+ blood.
“If each of us made just one more donation a year, we could help prevent blood shortages and provide all patients in our community with greater certainty that the blood type they need will be available in their time of need. Donating blood is one of the simplest ways to make a lifesaving difference,” says Juan Cotto, Senior Director of Government Affairs for Bloodworks Northwest.
You can make an appointment to donate at a Bloodworks Northwest donor center or blood drive at bloodworksnw.org.
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