The national blood supply fell nearly 25% in June 2026, and both the American Red Cross and Bloodworks Northwest are asking Everett residents to donate.
The Red Cross declared a nationwide emergency blood shortage that explicitly includes the North Sound region. Hospital demand surged roughly 3,500 units per week above expectations in June 2026 as summer trauma season began, the Red Cross said, as reported by the Everett Post.
"Summer always brings challenges for the blood supply but patients are still in the hospital, needing blood for critical medical care," said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, Red Cross division chief medical officer. "Without blood available, emergency rooms and maternity wards are paralyzed."
Lawrence was describing what hospitals face if the shortage deepens, not current conditions at Everett facilities.
Bloodworks Northwest, which operates the Everett donation center at 2703 Oakes Ave., issued its own "Code Red" alert on Facebook, warning that its supply remains at emergency levels and future donation appointments are declining.
Who should donate
The shortage is especially acute for types O positive and B negative, along with AB plasma, according to the Red Cross.
Bloodworks Northwest's donor portal breaks it down further by donation type:
- Super Reds (double red cells): Types O+, O-, A-, and B-
- Platelets: Types A+, B+, O+, and AB+
- Plasma: Types AB+ and AB-
Where to go in Everett
Bloodworks Northwest Everett Center 2703 Oakes Ave., Everett, WA 98201 Phone: 425-740-2909
Appointment slots on the donor portal run from 9 a.m. through 4:45 p.m., though hours may vary by day. Call the center to confirm availability.
Book online at donate.bloodworksnw.org, by phone at 800-398-7888, or by email at [email protected].
Donors can also schedule through the Red Cross Blood Donor app, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-733-2767.
Why it's urgent
Blood cannot be stockpiled. It has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donations. Patients who depend on transfusions include mothers in childbirth, trauma victims, and people living with cancer or sickle cell disease.
The Red Cross has not set an end date for the emergency declaration. Appointments can be booked at donate.bloodworksnw.org or through the Red Cross Blood Donor app.
