Bloodworks Northwest has declared a Code Red for the regional blood supply, meaning demand is significantly outpacing donations and reserves have dropped to dangerous levels. The organization needs at least 1,000 donors per day to bring supply back to functional levels, and has scheduled mobile blood drives at several Whatcom County locations over the coming weeks. If you are eligible to give blood, this is one of the most critical windows in recent memory to do so.
What a Code Red Means
A Code Red from Bloodworks Northwest is not a routine appeal. It is the organization's highest-urgency designation, signaling that current supply levels are insufficient to meet patient needs at the hospitals the organization serves. Bloodworks Northwest supplies blood products to more than 90 hospitals across the Pacific Northwest, including facilities in Whatcom County. When supply drops to Code Red levels, hospitals may face shortages for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and other procedures that require transfusions.
The American Red Cross has also issued a national alert, reporting that June blood donations were down approximately 25 percent nationally compared to normal levels. The summer months typically see drops in donation rates as donors travel, schools are out of session eliminating campus drives, and disruptions to routine schedules reduce the number of people who follow through on scheduled appointments. This year's decline appears more severe than typical seasonal dips.
Where to Donate in Whatcom County
The Bloodworks Northwest facility on West Bakerview Road in Bellingham accepts walk-in and appointment donors. Appointments can be scheduled online through the Bloodworks website and are recommended to reduce wait times. Mobile drives, which bring donation equipment directly to community locations, are scheduled at the following Whatcom County sites:
The Lynden Community Blood Drive at 586 Birch Bay-Lynden Road in Lynden runs on July 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The CAS Community Blood Drive at 21 Bellwether Way, Suite 416, in Bellingham is on July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. El Suenito Brewing Company at 1926 Humboldt Street in Bellingham hosts a drive on July 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Northwest Washington Fair site at 1751 Front Street in Lynden runs on August 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Point Roberts Community Blood Drive at 2030 Benson Road in Point Roberts takes place on August 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Action League of Bellingham at 2814 Meridian Street hosts a drive on August 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who Can Donate
Most healthy adults who weigh at least 110 pounds and are at least 17 years old are eligible to donate whole blood. Donors are asked to eat a good meal, drink plenty of water, and bring a photo ID to their appointment. People who have recently traveled internationally, had certain medical procedures, or received specific vaccines may face temporary deferrals. Bloodworks Northwest provides a full eligibility checklist on its website to help potential donors determine whether they qualify before scheduling.
The donation process takes about 45 minutes to an hour from registration to departure. The actual blood draw takes only 8 to 10 minutes. First-time donors often report the process is easier than they expected. One whole blood donation can be used to help up to three patients, and donors are typically eligible to give again every 56 days.
Platelet donations, which are used for cancer patients and others with blood clotting disorders, are also critically needed and can be given more frequently than whole blood. The Bakerview Road facility in Bellingham accepts platelet donors by appointment.
Why Now Matters
The Code Red designation comes at a time when Whatcom County's healthcare system, like the rest of the region, is managing ongoing pressures from population growth and an aging patient base. Trauma cases from summer activities, including car accidents, outdoor recreation injuries, and other incidents, increase the demand for blood products precisely when donation rates fall. The gap between supply and demand during summer months is a recurring challenge, but the 25 percent national decline in June donations makes this year's situation more acute.
To schedule a donation at the Bellingham facility or to find additional information about mobile drive locations and eligibility, visit the Bloodworks Northwest website. You can also check the Whatcom County Health and Community Services page for any additional local health announcements. With Code Red in effect, every donation made in the next several weeks directly reduces the risk of a shortage affecting patient care at regional hospitals.
