Thursday, August 10, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Eastsound Fire Station

— from Jim Biddick for Lions Club/Kiwanis Club —

While blood collections usually go down by about 15-20 percent during summer with schools and colleges on break and donors on vacation, our last Blood Drive bucked this trend by serving more than 80 people.

The need for blood is often higher in summer from patients undergoing surgeries, ERs treating traumatic injuries, people receiving cancer treatment, and surgeons performing organ transplants. It takes about 900 donors per day to maintain a sufficient blood supply for the 90 Northwest hospitals served by BloodworksNW.

Please join us for our upcoming blood drive on Orcas Island, sponsored by the Orcas Island Lions Club and the Orcas Island Kiwanis Club, to help prevent summer blood shortages and to top our last turnout.

To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-398-7888 or visit www.bloodworksnw.org/drives, sponsor code 2650. Walk-ins also welcome.

Please plan on at least one hour for your donation appointment. The process includes a medical history questionnaire, a mini check-up, the donation, and finishing up with juice & snacks. Donors are encouraged to schedule appointments if possible, as this helps reduce wait times. Please be sure to eat a hearty meal at least three hours before donating, keep hydrated, and bring photo ID or your Bloodworks Northwest Donor Card.