Government blood donations in Seattle are down a third because of shutdown
Bloodworks Northwest sends out dozens of mobile blood drives to government workplaces every month. But with thousands of federal employees furloughed, donations at these stops are down a third.
Katie Bunch of Bloodworks Northwest says her organization relies on government workers to provide 15 percent of their overall supply each month.
"And if they're not there because they're furloughed, then that's a concern for the blood drive because there's no one there to donate," Bunch said.
Of the 350 mobile blood drives Bloodworks Northwest sends out each month, 50 stop at federal buildings.
Since the shutdown started over a month ago, Bloodworks Northwest's donations have dropped 30 percent at those blood drives.
That makes it difficult to stock up on blood in case of a national emergency or natural disaster, Bunch said.
In the past, Bloodworks has sent blood to Parkland, Florida following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre and to Hawaii after Hurricane Lane.
If you'd like to donate, you can go to bloodworksnw.org.
In the past, Bloodworks has sent blood to Parkland, Florida following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre and to Hawaii after Hurricane Lane.
If you'd like to donate, you can go to bloodworksnw.org.
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Casey Martin
Reporter
Casey Martin is a general assignment reporter who has covered everything from political protests to electric scooters. He is almost always out in the field where the news happens. Casey has reported on extremism, houselessness, politics and Seattle’s nightlife.
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