With the current COVID-19 pandemic, many blood drives and donor appointments have been canceled. This risked Pacific Northwest blood supply to potentially have a serious shortfall, leaving hospitals and clinics without critical blood supplies for their patients. Since the alert went out, donors have stepped up to fill the original shortfall.
It is clear, however, that this healthcare crisis will go on for months. This will create future shortfalls should donors not continue to donate. Darci Bidman, an Auburn-based realtor, has stepped up and is hosting a mobile blood drive in Lakeland this Saturday.
Blood donation is considered an essential activity. Donors are exempt from the state’s stay home order. If you are able to donate, please do.
Bidman’s blood drive is in honor of her late father, Ernest Nelson, a retired Tacoma Firefighter. Nelson donated 48 gallons of blood over his lifetime.
NOTE: On April 2, 2020 the FDA issued a new guidance on deferral criteria for a number of areas, including a revised deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM); Variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, tattoos/piercings, travel, and others.
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