Passing through Westwood Village on the way back from dropping in on Grand Opening Day for Full Tilt Ice Cream (an update on that is coming up shortly), we noticed the bloodmobile at WV, just east of Barnes and Noble. That reminded us we hadn’t passed along word of the “Give Twice” drive that the Puget Sound Blood Center recently launched to avoid a dangerous summertime blood shortage — even if you can’t get to WV today (sorry for the short notice, looks like it’s only there till about 3 pm), there’s a June 30th blood drive at Admiral Safeway, July 2nd at PCC, and then back at Westwood Village July 26th. Or make an online appointment here to donate some other time at one of the PSBC’s regional centers. Meantime, here are full details about “Give Twice” – with a freebie for participants:

Puget Sound Blood Center Unveils “Give Twice” Program for Summer Donations

Patients need your help 365 days a year

June 16, 2008 SEATTLE – Puget Sound Blood Center is kicking off a new initiative to maintain an adequate blood supply throughout the summer, when donations traditionally drop off and trauma cases increase by 20 percent. Called Give Twice, the new campaign asks donors to give blood between June 15 and Aug. 9 and again 56 days later – the soonest allowable — between Aug. 10 and Oct. 4.

Vacations, more outdoor activities and other summertime distractions annually contribute to a nationwide decrease in blood donations in summer. The goal of Give Twice is to keep the Western Washington blood supply at an operational level through this season and into the fall with a steady stream of donations.

“Timing is the key here,” says David Leitch , the Blood Center ’s director of donor and volunteer resources. “Staggering a sufficient number of blood donations is the best way to keep a stable supply during known slow periods. Since the shelf life of blood is only 42 days, it is used at a consistent rate and consequently, we need to replace it at the same or better rate, especially when overall donations decrease.”

Leitch urges regular and first-time donors to make an appointment to give blood at the most convenient donor center listed below. “Call us at 1-800-398-7888 or go online at www.psbc.org to make your two appointments around vacation times, picnics, ball games and other summer activities that you’ve already scheduled,” he suggests.

Donors who keep their two-donation pledge will be offered a cookbook comprised of the favorite personal recipes of Blood Center employees and volunteers, including the donor group coordinators at companies and organizations in the Blood Center ’s 14-county service area. “It’s great to get the staff and volunteers involved in this program,” says Leitch. “They’re really quite happy to be able to pitch in because they all know how important it is to collect blood for patients. And there’s a special relevance now for the patients who are undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, or transplants this summer.”

If you’re looking ahead to the beginning of summer, start it right by giving others something to look forward to also. Take some time to donate blood this summer – twice!

And before you decide to leave it to someone else, keep in mind that most of us will need a blood transfusion at some point. You’ll need someone’s donation in the future just like someone needs yours right now. So pitch in to ensure that there’s enough to go around.

Puget Sound Blood Center is an independent, community-based nonprofit with a tradition of blending volunteerism, medical science and research to improve the patients’ lives. Patients with leukemia, cancer, burns, hemophilia and traumatic injuries depend on Blood Center research. The recognized leader in transfusion medicine, the Blood Center operates the world’s largest transfusion service, serves patients in more that 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 Western Washington counties, and provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.