FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Recent News Events and Blood Donation Requests

Current news events and our community blood supply

AUGUST 29, 2005, SEATTLE WA — Due to recent news events related to Hurricane Katrina and questions received from donors, the Blood Center is updating information on the status of the blood supply for 14 counties of Western Washington.

Puget Sound Blood Center’s dedicated donors enable us to maintain a ready and stable blood supply for hospitals and patients in our region. Many volunteer donors may have recently read or heard news accounts of a national blood shortage and an urgent plea to donate blood. Puget Sound Blood Center supplies most of Western Washington hospitals with blood. The week preceding Labor Day is traditionally a time when we increase requests for donations due to many of our regular donors’ vacation plans and because holiday traffic and activities typically result in a rise in traumatic injuries that require transfusions of blood components. Although we strongly encourage donors to come in this week to maintain our stable blood supply, it is important to note that the national shortage receiving current media attention does not affect Puget Sound Blood Center.

A great attribute of the Northwest is a community of people ready to join together to help in an emergency. We are receiving calls regarding donating blood to help those in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. At this time we have not received any requests for blood from that area. If we receive requests for blood, we have the ability to respond quickly to assist those in need. We will update this information should we need to increase donations in order to help.

If you are interested in donating blood before or on Labor Day, you may very well be saving someone’s life. Remember, local patients always need blood, even on holidays.

The five Blood Center branches usually open on Mondays will be open for whole blood and apheresis collections on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5, 2005, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Those interested in making a donation on or before the holiday can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-398-7888. Blood Center locations open on Labor Day are:

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