Blood drive for Ridgefield teen to be held at Rosauers Supermarket

Bloodworks Northwest is hosting a blood drive in support of a local teen, Graeson, this week.

The blood drive will take place from noon to 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 29, at a mobile unit at Rosauers Supermarket, 101 S. 47th Ave., Ridgefield. People are advised to book their one-hour appointment at bloodworksnw.org/giveblood. Photo identification is required.

Graeson has Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare blood type cancer, and was diagnosed with a tumor in his right femur last February. He has since recovered from its surgical removal and will receive future PET scans to search for other tumors for treatment, according to Bloodworks Community Engagement Liaison Lauren Reagan in a news release. She said having a stable supply of blood through donations will ensure Graeson and others who need a blood transfusion will be able to receive the care they need.

Residents with O positive and O negative blood types, which can be donated to anybody, are encouraged to attend and donate.
According to a Bloodworks Northwest press release, despite current outreach to donors, Bloodworks reports the Type O positive inventory has reduced to emergency levels.The organization forecasts the supply will continue to decline by 100 units per week if more donors do not come forward to help restore the supply to safe and reliable levels for trauma and cancer patients like Graeson.

“While a four or five-day supply is ideal for patients, our community has less than a 24-hour supply in stock of Type O positive – the most commonly transfused blood type,” said Bloodworks Northwest Co-Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kirsten Alcorn in the release. “Unless we can stabilize the Type O supply, this could quickly become a concerning situation for our trauma centers and first responders who may even transfuse badly injured patients before they arrive at the hospital, such as in the ambulance or life-flight helicopter. It’s vital for people of all blood types, especially Type O, take an hour to give blood this summer because it saves lives.”