Bloodworks Northwest has issued a special appeal asking people to schedule a blood donation during the next 10 days.

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, when the number of donors visiting our centers and mobile drives typically declines by 15-20 percent with high schools and colleges on break, people traveling, family gatherings and other activities.

Starting on Nov. 20 and extending until New Year’s 2018, Bloodworks is increasing hours at its donor centers to encourage donations. As we enter the holiday season of giving, what better way to honor that spirit than by scheduling just one hour to save lives? While all blood and platelet donors are welcome, there’s always demand for Type O blood and for platelets.

Donating blood takes less than an hour, and because blood can be broken down into its three components, each donation, about a pint, can potentially save three lives.

We count on the communities we support to help us. When it comes to patient needs there’s no such thing as a vacation. The demand for blood is continuous to support the daily needs of local patients. People undergo surgeries and organ transplants. ERs treat traumatic injuries, and many people receive ongoing blood components for cancer treatment. And recent tragedies underscore the fact that having blood already on the shelves is essential when unforeseeable emergencies happen.

Donors are urged to make an appointment at schedule.bloodworksNW.org or by calling 1-800-398-7888. People can also can check online for dates and times of community blood drives close to where they live or work by going to bloodworksnw.org.