SPOKANE, Wash. — Blood donations in the Inland Northwest have dropped significantly this winter, with Vitalant receiving about 800 fewer units of blood this January compared to the same period last year.
The nonprofit blood organization has collected just over 3,000 units of blood this month, down from approximately 3,800 units in January 2025. The decline comes as hospitals continue to need steady blood supplies for patients across the region.
“One in seven individuals that go to a hospital for something like traumatic events, surgery, birthing, need blood,” said Jacob Bird, Vitalant’s manager of donor recruitment.
At Vitalant’s blood bank, donors connect to machines that collect their blood, which then gets shipped to hospitals and patients throughout the Inland Northwest. But lately, fewer people have been coming in to donate.
Bird said the organization has an urgent need for O-negative and O-positive blood, which trauma patients typically receive during critical situations. While Vitalant does not currently have a shortage, the winter months create increased demand for donations.
The increased need for blood donations during winter months stems from several factors, including seasonal illness and winter weather that prevent potential donors from reaching donation centers.
Blood banks across Washington state are experiencing similar challenges. The Washington State Department of Health has declared a “Code Red” due to dangerously low blood supply at two of the three blood banks in the region. This warning prompting urgent pushes for donations throughout the region.
For donors like Nicole Koontz, giving blood provides personal satisfaction beyond helping others. Vitalant sends messages to donors when their blood gets used by a specific patient.
“It feels really good. They’ll send a message when whatever I donate actually gets sent to someone that’s going to receive it. And it’s just it’s a nice little boost that I know that it’s, you know, going to someone in particular,” Koontz said.
People interested in donating can make appointments or walk into Vitalant blood banks. The organization plans to hold blood drives throughout the Inland Northwest next month.
Tuesday, February 3 – Deer Park, St. Mary Presbyterian Church, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Saturday, February 7 – Chattaroy, Chattaroy Riverside LDS Church, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Tuesday, February 10 – Spokane, Gonzaga University, Hemmingson Center, 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Wednesday, February 11 – Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Tuesday, February 17 – Cheney, Eastern Washington University, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Tuesday, February 17 – Spokane, Spokane County Main Lobby, 8 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.Wednesday, February 18 – Liberty Lake, Bank of America Merchant Services, 8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.Monday, February 23 – Spokane, Wendle Motors, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
You can find more information on how to donate blood here.
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