American Red Cross officials say they are urgently looking for blood donors right now.
They say there's a shortage caused by an increase in demand, combined with fewer people donating during the Covid pandemic."Even without Covid in the summer, we generally see an increase in demand. Unfortunately, they're out and active and hurting themselves more, and that might be exacerbated this summer," said Ryan Rodin, the executive director of the Inland Northwest chapter of the Red Cross.
He also says many people deferred having procedures done during the pandemic and are now hoping to schedule elective surgeries. In some cases, those are being delayed by hospitals until the blood supply stabilizes.
The Red Cross is scheduling several blood drives in the Spokane area: June 30 from 1-6 pm, and again on July 1 from 11:30 am-4:30 pm at the Double Tree by Hilton in downtown Spokane. Another will be held July 2 at George Gee Buick in Liberty Lake from 11 am-4 pm.
Rodin says the Red Cross is seeking donations from anyone who is currently healthy.
“We do ask if folks can bring their vaccination card or a picture of their card to the drive. That helps in general. We do want to know what kind of vaccination they received if they did get one," he said.