Tualatin proclaims January Blood Donor Month as Bloodworks Northwest urges urgent donations
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Summary
The council adopted a proclamation declaring January 2025 Blood Donor Month. Representatives from Bloodworks Northwest described a regional 'code red' shortage and urged immediate donations and upcoming local drives.
TUALATIN, Ore. — The Tualatin City Council adopted a proclamation declaring January 2025 as Blood Donor Month on Jan. 27, and representatives from Bloodworks Northwest told the council the region is experiencing an urgent shortage.
Chris Harrison, community engagement liaison at Bloodworks Northwest, and Jay Cole, donor service supervisor, described the nonprofit blood bank’s role supplying most hospitals in the Pacific Northwest and noted a regional “code red” the group had declared the day of the meeting. Harrison said the supply shortfall reflects a combination of winter illnesses, canceled drives and lower appointment rates following holidays.
"We issued a code red," Harrison said. "What a code red means is that we have four consecutive days of emergency blood supplies. We are urgently asking everyone to please donate."
Harrison and Cole said Bloodworks serves hospitals including Legacy and Providence systems and PeaceHealth and conducts research through Bloodworks Research programs. They noted that appointments are available at bloodworksnw.org, by phone and at their donor center in Beaverton, and that a Meridian Park drive was scheduled for Feb. 26.
Why it matters
Councilor Reyes read the city proclamation and shared a personal note about receiving multiple transfusions after a 1994 firearms injury; she and others stressed the life‑saving impact of donor participation. Bloodworks staff said all blood types are needed and specifically flagged type O as in high demand.
Logistics and outreach
Cole described donor center hours and mobile bus locations, and Harrison noted a new Bloodworks app for booking and tracking donations. Donors can generally give whole blood every 56 days, Cole said.
The council adopted the proclamation encouraging residents to donate, volunteer or host drives to support local hospitals.
Proclamation text (as read to council) names Bloodworks Northwest’s mission and recognizes the historical designation of National Blood Donor Month; the proclamation was introduced and adopted Jan. 27, 2025.