Bloodworks holds promotion to help critically low blood supply

EUGENE, Ore. – With the shortage of blood, especially Type O blood and platelets, hovering between emergency levels and critically low, Bloodworks Northwest is in desperate need of donors – and is offering a trip to Las Vegas for one lucky donor.

Bloodworks is looking to fill 15,000 empty appointments in October in Oregon and Washington. Donors must be at least 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds, and can donate blood every 56 days. The process takes about an hour from check-in to post-donation cookie. Jordan Hardman, Bloodworks’ community engagement liaison, said Type O blood is especially needed.

“Type O blood and platelets are what we’re in critical need of right now. Platelets help cancer patients, so that’s really important to have, and Type O is universally used,” Hardman said. “Of course it’s going to get used more than other types of blood, so it’s really important that we always have an adequate supply of O-Type.”

To encourage donations in the month of October to help them reach the needed 1,000 donors per day, Bloodworks is running a promotion. Anyone who donates blood will be entered to win a three-night trip to Las Vegas that includes airfare, a three-night hotel stay and tickets to see eight-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood.

Anyone who wants to give blood can schedule an appointment on Bloodworks’ website.