I’ve been giving blood at Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC) for about 15 years or so now. While I will admit that I haven’t been giving as much as I used to (1x – 2x per year versus 6x) the change in frequency has mostly come from changes in my own personal circumstances of work location, being out of town more frequently, and general convenience factor. Factors that I recently provided in the survey PSBC sent out to see how they could improve repeat giving of blood.
Having a strong local blood supply is important and many people do not realize that blood has a shelf life, like any other fresh supply product you can think of – such as fruits and vegetables. So, to keep the supply full and to get as many types of blood possible the PSBC must constantly work to remind and urge the public to give.
My own blood type is AB+, which is the 2nd most rare type of blood. Although AB patients can also receive type O, it’s usually preferred that the same blood type be used for certain medical procedures. I get contacted regularly via email with reminders to give. I used to give at a location in Bellevue (on 112th) that was down the street from my old work office at Westmark Electronics. Then, when I went into software sales and worked remotely from my employer, I went to a location on 105th in Seattle near Hwy 99. Now that I live in Renton I haven’t found (ok, I need to look) what the closest location is to me. I keep thinking I’ll look and see if the local hospital (Valley Medical) has a program since they are only about a mile from my house.
Given the blood transfusion my dad needed after my parent’s accident last year it’s been on my mind more than ever. Give blood, and give often. There will be many families that will be thankful for your gift of life.
