Bloglander

Inland Northwest Blood Center

The Inland Northwest Blood Center desperately needs donors of all blood types.

The Inland Northwest Blood Center is in dire need of blood donations. The holidays are a particularly difficult time for the blood center, says Elizabeth Giles, their marketing and communications officer. With flu and cold bugs rampant, it is hard to find healthy donors willing to give blood. Unfortunately, if people come in ill the center has no choice but to send them on their way.

Coupled with the fact that regular donors must wait 56 days between donations — and most have donated over the holiday season — the blood center desperately needs healthy donors to restock their depleted reserves. What they need most now is for anyone willing to donate blood to come on in. Interested donors should hydrate themselves heavily before coming down to the center, but walk-ins and appointments are both welcome.

To help, drop by the Spokane or Coeur d'Alene locations tomorrow from 7 am to 3 pm. If that doesn't work, the Spokane location is open Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm, and the blood center in Coeur d'Alene has expanded its hours to include Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm. The Center is looking for all blood types, as well as people willing to donate platelets.

The perks of donating include, of course, awesome karma, finding out your blood type, monitoring your cholesterol, delicious snacks afterwards, and the satisfaction of potentially saving a life. (Who doesn't like being a hero?)