– Submitted by Bloodworks Northwest
On Wednesday, Dec. 16, we registered a total of 73 whole blood donors and six platelet donors. We had 4 first time whole blood donors and four first time apheresis donors, and seven donors hit milestone gallon markers. The blood donations collected at the blood drive are critical to maintain a stable blood supply for surgeries, medical emergencies, and for supporting patients battling life-threatening illnesses like leukemia and other cancers.
Thanks to all the donors who took time out of their busy day to donate blood. With great appreciation to San Juan Island Lions Club for blood drive sponsorship; Curt VanHyning for organizing the drive and Bruce Martin for his assistance; the San Juan Island Lions Club members for recruiting donors; Linda Butler and the Mullis Community Center for providing the blood drive site; Gordy Waite at Friday Harbor High School, Becki Day, Jim Cole, Paul Barger, and Robin Delazerda for helping spread the word; the San Juan Islander and San Juan Journal for helping promote the drive; and the volunteers who helped on the day of the drive. We couldn’t have done it without you.
On behalf of patients in our community’s hospitals, I wish to extend our thanks to you. Below are just a few of many patients in our community who recently received blood products:
A 48 year old patient with a male aortic dissection used 28 units red blood cells, 10 units plasma, four units platelets, and two cryoprecipitate pools.
One 37 year old patient received an organ transplant and used 12 units red blood cells, four units plasma, and three units platelets.
A 43 year old patient received an organ transplant. The patient used 12 units red blood cells, 10 units plasma, and two cryoprecipitate pools.
And a 60 year old patient received an organ transplant. The patient used 12 units red blood cells, 10 units Plasma, one unit platelets, and two cryoprecipitate pools.
Each day, 800 people must donate blood to meet the needs of patients in Western Washington and Oregon hospitals. The next San Juan Island blood drive is Wednesday, March 16.
