Western Washington’s supply of blood for emergency and hospital use has dropped by 20 percent – 1,000 units of blood – because of the recent wintry weather in the last two weeks.

In particular:

• Type O negative blood and type O positive blood are at a critical two-day supply level

• Type B negative blood is at an emergency one-day supply level.

The Puget Sound Blood Center has had to cancel more than 27 blood drives and has lost about 1,700 blood donations.

Because of that, the Puget Sound Blood Center has issued an urgent appeal for blood donations.

“As we head into another holiday week, it is imperative that donors know of the need, as well as where they can donate,” Michael Young, spokesman for the blood center, said in a press release.

“People are encouraged to donate blood whenever they can safely get to a center or blood drive to ensure we start the New Year with an adequate supply of blood for area hospitals,” he said.

It takes over 900 donor registrations every day to maintain an operational blood supply in Western Washington.

This week, the blood center’s donor centers are open for business and there are a number of mobile drives.

To schedule an appointment with Puget Sound Blood Center, call 1-800-398-7888. Walk-ins are also welcome. Visit For the latest, go to Puget Sound Blood Center for donation center hours of operation and driving directions, as well as mobile drive locations.

To accommodate donors, Puget Sound Blood Center is opening additional centers on additional days through the holidays. Information about regular hours of operation are available at Puget Sound Blood Center for regular hours of operation.

The donor center in Tukwila, along with other donor centers, has added hours.