The Puget Sound Blood Center, which has kicked off the third annual Give Twice program for summer donations, has mobile units planned for blood drives throughout the North Olympic Peninsula through July.
The program asks donors to give blood between June 13 and Aug. 7 and again 56 days later — the soonest allowable — between Aug. 8 and Oct. 2.
It is aimed at maintaining an adequate blood supply throughout the summer, when donations traditionally drop off and trauma cases increase by 20 percent, the center said in a prepared statement.
Vacations, more outdoor activities and other summertime distractions annually contribute to a nationwide decrease in blood donations in summer, the center said.
“Since the shelf life of blood is only 42 days, it is used at a consistent rate and consequently, we need to replace it at the same or better rate, especially when overall donations decrease,” said David Leitch, the center’s director of donor and volunteer resources.
Donors who keep their two-donation pledge will be offered a cookbook composed of the favorite personal recipes of center employees and volunteers, including the donor group coordinators at companies and organizations in the center’s 14-county service area, which includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Some mobile blood drive locations offer the opportunity to make appointments. Appointments are not required.
Appointments can be made online at www.psbc.org/programs/drives_schedule.asp or through phoning 800-398-7888.
Here is a list of scheduled mobile unit visits on the Peninsula.
Port Angeles
• Saturday — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Relay For Life of Port Angeles, Clallam County Fairgrounds.
• Monday — 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
• Tuesday — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Independent Bible Church,116 E. Ahlvers.
• Thursday, July 1 — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Olympic Medical Center Wendel Room, 939 Caroline St., Appointments can be made.
• Friday, July 2 — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Olympic Medical Center Wendel Room, 939 Caroline St. Appointments can be made.
• Friday, July 9 — 10 a.m. to noon and 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., Port Angeles Library Carver Room, 2210 S. Peabody St. Appointments can be made.
• Thursday, July 29 — 10 a.m. to noon and 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., Port Angeles Library Carver Room.
Sequim
• Today — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Safeway, 680F W. Washington Ave., Appointments can be made.
• Thursday — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 2:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Of Sequim, 1323 Sequim-Dungeness Way.
• Saturday, June 26 — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sequim Community Church, 950 N. Fifth Ave.
• Monday, July 5 — 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sequim Elks Lodge, 143 Point Williams Road.
• Tuesday, July 27 — Noon to 2 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. to 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
• Wednesday, July 28 — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m., Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 923 N. Sequim Ave.
Port Townsend
• Friday, June 18 — 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 3 p.m., Jefferson Healthcare hospital, 834 Sheridan St. Appointments can be made.
• Monday, July 19 — Noon to 2:30 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St.
Port Hadlock
• Wednesday, July 7 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., Community United Methodist Church, 130 Church Lane.
Port Ludlow
• Monday, July 26 — 9 a.m. to noon and 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m., Port Ludlow Community Church, 9534 Oak Bay Road. Appointments can be made.
Clallam Bay/Sekiu
• Thursday, July 8 — 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Clallam Bay-Sekiu Community Center, 1830 Eagle Crest Way.
Neah Bay
• Wednesday, June 30 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Neah Bay Community Center, 1321 Bay View Ave.