FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Puget Sound Blood Center’s Holiday Schedule

SEATTLE 20 , 2006, SEATTLE WA — For many of us, December is a month focused on holiday cheer, of sharing time together with our family and close friends and sharing gifts with those close to us.  One of the greatest gifts we can offer not just our friends, but our entire community, is sharing our good health through blood donation. 

The holiday season is traditionally a time of year during which blood supplies are lower than usual.  Many of us get out of our routine during this time of the year with holiday travel, visits with friends and other extra holiday activities, especially during the weeks in which the holidays fall.  But the need for blood remains constant.  It is only with the generosity of our donors that we have blood on hand to answer every need.

The Details
Although Puget Sound Blood Center donor centers are closed on Christmas Day, December 25, 2006 and New Years Day, January 1, 2007, all donor centers will be open normal operating hours the Saturday prior to each of these holidays and the Tuesday following each of these holidays.  The Sunday prior to both holidays the Blood Center’s Lynnwood and Central Seattle donor centers will be open 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m., slightly different hours from their normal Sunday schedule.  Those interested in donating can schedule a time by calling 800-398-7888 or visiting www.psbc.org.  Donor center hours of operation are posted on the Blood Center’s Web site.

Nearly 900 of our friends and neighbors donate blood each weekday.  Since each donation may potentially help three people, their donations are enough to potentially save over 2000 people every weekday.  This year alone, volunteers stepped forward to give more than 200,000 donations throughout Western Washington.  Also in this year the Blood Center had over 32,000 make their first donation with us and over 200 new groups (businesses, religious organizations and others) held blood drives.   

This holiday season consider giving the gift of life in the form of a blood donation.  What a great way to spread holiday cheer!  In return you will receive our thanks, a cup of juice and some cookies. 

For more than sixty years, the Puget Sound Blood Center has been conducting research to improve the quality of life for all those it touches.  The Blood Center currently provides blood to 70 hospitals and clinics throughout Western Washington.  Cancer, Leukemia and Hemophilia patients, as well as people who fall victim to unfortunate traumas depend on the benefits provided through the Puget Sound Blood Center.  It is especially important that we as individuals do our part to ensure our community members a stable blood supply by donating on a regular basis.  Visit the Blood Center’s Web site at www.psbc.org or call 1-800-398-7888 to find a blood drive near you.  For those who cannot locate a convenient mobile blood drive, you can visit one of our Donor Centers:

The Blood Center wishes the best of health, happy holidays and much thanks to our donors and volunteers for giving the gift of life.

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