HOW TO HELP: Donate blood, if you can

| How to help | West Seattle news

From the website of Bloodworks Northwest, the regional blood bank: “Our inventory has been low in the past few weeks, yet we have shipped blood components to OneBlood, the blood center in Florida, in response to their emergency appeal. We have now been notified that their immediate needs for blood have been satisfied as a result of additional shipments from us and others.” But that means Bloodworks NW needs to replenish the local supply, and if you can donate, there happens to be a blood drive already scheduled for tomorrow in West Seattle, 1-7 pm at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (39th/Thistle) – more information in our calendar listing.

Kate June 12, 2016 (10:25 pm)

Thanks for posting.

Soup Ninja June 13, 2016 (12:47 am)

The irony is that, if I hadn’t transitioned from female to male, I could donate blood. I was an avid donor my entire adult life. That was taken from me because the FDA still thinks ALL gay men are HIV positive. This won’t change a thing. They’ll still ban a gay man from donating blood unless he’s been celibate for a year. But like I said, had I stayed a woman – even if I’d had sex with many men – I could still donate. Now, I sit here doing nothing with my good (and common) A-positive blood, feeling separate and unequal, all because I’m gay and trans. I want to help my FAMILY.

K'lo June 13, 2016 (8:47 am)

How about getting involved as a volunteer? Working at the front desk or in the canteen with coffee and cookies . . . that kind of involvement is greatly appreciated as well.

AMD June 13, 2016 (1:15 pm)

The ban on blood donations is asinine and based on completely archaic thinking. I’m sure there are plenty of gay men would would love to volunteer at the front desk or in the canteen AND donate blood. Volunteering at the center helps the center. Donating blood can save someone’s life. If I were lying on a gurney bleeding to death I would be ELATED to have my veins pumped full of a gay man’s blood rather than bleed o death. The ban needs to be repealed, period.

To those who can and did donate blood, thank you.

SGG June 13, 2016 (1:40 pm)

They also ban people who have visited an incomprehensible list of countries and locations. Lived in the UK, nope. Ever traveled to Africa, nope.

Michelle June 13, 2016 (2:06 pm)

If you are interested in donating, please note that they are down a desk volunteer so things are going a little slower than normal. Also, a lot of reservations have already been made so go in and set an appointment to come back if you can.

Mickymse June 13, 2016 (2:31 pm)

If public health folks really care about the tragic spilling of the blood of my LGBT brothers and sisters in Orlando, then they shouldn’t care about me donating my blood. GAYS AND LESBIANS UNDER ATTACK. WHAT DO WE DO? ACT UP! FIGHT BACK!

ltfd June 13, 2016 (7:49 pm)

International public health best-practices at play here. Science before emotion; it’s not about making someone feel good about themselves. Sorry.

hj June 13, 2016 (8:34 pm)

The first part of your sentence was true. Why did you decide to ruin it with an unnecessarily small-minded zinger? I’m guessing that people who donate blood don’t do it just to feel good about themelves.

Sorry, comment time is over.