By Betsy Robertson, Northwest Region Communications Director
As the calendar year 2024 comes to a close, the American Red Cross is actively preparing for the future of blood collection in the Northwest Region. Two new facilities are under construction in Seattle and Kennewick, with opening dates scheduled for Spring of 2025.
As the largest provider of blood products in the U.S., we are committed to meeting the growing need for blood and blood products by adapting and innovating, as we have done for more than a century. Before the year 2030, our organization will open 100 new Blood Donation Centers nationwide.
The need for new fixed-site collection centers is a direct reflection of growing demand across the country. When emergencies happen, the blood on the shelves is what helps save lives. Sadly, over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood through the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%.
Inventory challenges are not unique to the Red Cross. During the critical shortage we experienced last summer, the Red Cross provided hundreds of blood products to support hospitals typically served by other blood collectors, ensuring that lifesaving medical care continued.
The Red Cross is investing in our communities to make the process of donating blood more accessible and available. We are also updating our facilities with apheresis and Power Red machines, donor beds, scales, donor health screening equipment and more to upgrade the collection and storage of blood products.
These investments come at a time when there is also an emergency need for platelets. Platelets are the clotting portion of blood, critical to the health of patients with cancer, and must be transfused within five days of donation. With a steady rise in cancer cases — an estimated 36% by 2040 — so grows the need for platelets.
Our new facilities will enable the Red Cross to expand platelet collection in the Tri-Cities and start collecting platelets from donors in Seattle for the very first time. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled, and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors.
The Northwest Region is vital to maintaining a healthy supply of blood and blood products across the country. Our new facility in Kennewick will replace the aging collection center in Richland, while our transformation of the Seattle office will make regular blood donation accessible to the communities south of downtown.
At the same time, these new sites will support efforts to recruit and engage the next generation of blood donors including those from the African American, Latino, LGBTQ+ and younger communities.
By broadening and intensifying our reach with new donors, we can provide a more sustainable blood supply needed to meet patient and hospital needs now and in the future. Your financial support of this work is critical to our success.
The Red Cross Northwest Region invites you to join our campaign to grow our blood collection infrastructure, helping ensure that lifesaving blood products are available when help can’t wait.
This community-based campaign to support these new Blood Collection Centers offers unique opportunities to make a real and lasting impact in our local community. It’s a way to inspire others to join you in this philanthropic endeavor and be recognized. Simply put, your investment in community resilience will help save lives.
Contact Megan Snow, megan.snow@redcross.org or 509-990-0969 to learn about opportunities to contribute financially and be recognized for supporting the growth of blood collection efforts in our region.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!
