FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blood Center Announces Memorial Day Hours

Summer travel season kickoff could bring increased need for blood donations

MAY 25, 2005, SEATTLE WA — Five branches of Puget Sound Blood Center will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, in order to accept whole blood donations and apheresis donations, through which a single blood component such as platelets can be given.

Anticipating a greater need throughout the region, Blood Center officials ask that local residents make giving blood a priority this summer, beginning with the upcoming holiday. “As in years past, many Washington residents will be traveling by car during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend,” said A.J. Pasquarelli, Blood Center spokesman.

“Of course, that brings the potential for an increase in automobile accidents. Add the average daily trauma, the additional trauma generally suffered over an extended weekend, and the fact that many regular blood donors will be on vacation and we have the potential of a greater need for transfusions. Now’s the time for people who aren’t regular donors to consider giving blood. And it’s easy to make an appointment; just call 1-800-398-7888 or go online at psbc.org.”

Holiday Hours and Locations
Five branches of Puget Sound Blood Center will be open for whole blood and apheresis donations on Monday, May 30, 2005 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Treats will be served in the Blood Center canteen in recognition of this holiday. The open donor centers are:

About Puget Sound Blood Center
Celebrating 60 years in the community, the Blood Center is internationally recognized for groundbreaking research in transfusion and transplantation medicine. The nonprofit Blood Center is the resource for patients in Western Washington who need blood, tissue and specialized laboratory services. Founded in 1944, the Blood Center has a long and unique tradition of blending community volunteerism, medical science and research to improve patients’ lives. The organization directly affects the lives of over half million patients annually in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 counties of Washington State and provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.

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