Letter to Editor | Heartfelt Thanks for Orcas Blood Drive

— from Jim Biddick —

On Thursday, August 10, your community blood drive registered a total of 81 donors. We welcomed eight first-time-donors and congratulated six donors for reaching milestone gallon markers. We were able to collect 64 units of whole blood. Since each unit of whole blood is separated into the different components (red cells, platelets, and plasma,) your efforts will benefit as many as 192 patients in hospitals we serve. The blood donations collected at the blood drive are critical to maintain a stable blood supply for surgeries, medical emergencies, and for supporting patients battling life-threatening illnesses like leukemia and other cancers.

Thanks to all the donors who took time out of their busy day to donate blood. Thank you for your patience and understanding as our team experienced delays with the ferries. Bloodworks Northwest recently issued an urgent appeal for donors, as several blood types have dipped to emergency and critical levels. Your blood drive was a huge part in helping to stabilize inventories.

With great appreciation to the Orcas Island Lions Club and the Orcas Island Kiwanis Club for blood drive sponsorship, Jim Biddick, Martin Arnold & Velma Doty for organizing the drive, fellow Orcas Island Lions & Kiwanis Club members for their assistance, the Orcas Island Fire Department, Scott Williams, Bryce Hamilton, Mary Tanner, and Chad Kimple for providing the blood drive site and their support; and the volunteers who helped on the day of the drive. You all play such an integral role in our mission to save lives – we wouldn’t be able to do it without your help.

On behalf of patients in our community’s hospitals, I wish to extend our thanks to you. These are a few patients who recently received blood products from Bloodworks Northwest:

• Patient with non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis. Patient used: 6 units Red Blood Cells, 8 units plasma, 3 units platelets, and 3 cryoprecipitate pools.
• Patient undergoing angiogram. Patient used: 12 units Red Blood Cells, 6 units plasma, and 2 units platelets.
• Patient with abdominal bleeding. Patient used: 23 units Red Blood Cells, 9 units plasma, 4 units platelets, and 3 cryoprecipitate pools.
• Patient with gastrointestinal bleed. Patient used: 15 units Red Blood Cells, 14 units plasma, 1 unit platelets, 1 cryoprecipitate pool.

Each day, 800 people must donate blood to meet the needs of patients in hospitals. Your blood drive played an important role in helping meet that goal. The next Orcas Island Blood Drive is Thursday, October 12.