FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Summer Raises the Temperature Not the Blood Supply

JUNE 3, 2005, SEATTLE WA — Ah, summer: more sunshine, more leisure time, more fun, more demand for blood. That’s right, summertime’s here and the livin’ can be easy in the Northwest. But there can be trouble spots, too. For example, the season usually raises the need for blood.

That’s because closed high schools mean limited student participation in blood drives -- a great loss since high school drives provide Puget Sound Blood Center with 17 percent of its blood supply. In addition, many regular donors take vacations and are unavailable to give blood. More cars on the road mean more car accidents, and consequently, more blood needed.

Because of this combined effect of greater demand and lower donations, the Blood Center needs new donors and asks regular donors to recommit themselves during upcoming summer community blood drives.

“By donating blood, the average citizen has a chance to save another person’s life, “ said A.J. Pasquarelli, Blood Center spokesman. “What else can you do this summer that means as much? Donating is a relatively quick, easy process, and it’s more valuable than just about anything else you can do for local patients.”

He added that while type O blood is in greatest demand because it can be donated to anyone in an emergency situation, needs change with each patient and it is important for people of all blood types to donate.

The Blood Center holds dozens of mobile blood drives daily around the Sound. Visit the Blood Center’s Web site at www.psbc.org or call 1-800-398-7888 to find a blood drive near you.

About Puget Sound Blood Center
Serving 70 hospitals and clinics in Western Washington, Puget Sound Blood Center is an independent, community based blood center internationally recognized for its research, medical and blood and tissue services. For those who cannot donate at a mobile blood drive, contact one of the locations below:

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