Southwest Washington Blood Program team members are (from left): Jeff Carrick, Kimberly Cannard, Willard Erickson, Lauree Parkhurst, Patrick Villaloboz and Marty Skocilich.

Southwest Washington Blood Program Established

In late October, Puget Sound Blood Center announced the start of its Southwest Washington Blood Program to address the need for blood and medical services in Washington’s Cowlitz and Clark Counties, where last year the Blood Center collected 1,700 units of blood while providing more than 9,400 units of red blood cells.

Over the past five years the need for blood has grown beyond the amount collected in the area. “The Southwest Washington Blood Program will allow us to address this disparity and continue our mission of providing the community with a stable and available blood supply,” said Blood Center President and CEO Richard B. Counts, M.D.

During a three-day “open house” at area blood drives, Vancouver resident and Blood Center patient, Keith Ballew told his story (see NEWSLINE, Fall 2004), Blood Center representatives answered questions, discussed the Southwest Washington Blood Program and introduced a new state-of-the-art vehicle dedicated to managing blood collection operations in Southwest Washington.

The new 40-foot long bloodmobile — designed by staff to provide maximum comfort and accessibility — has both front and rear entrances, two screening rooms, five donor beds, a full post-donation canteen area and features a new generation of quiet 20-kilowatt generators, a microwave oven, two refrigerators and three roof-mounted air conditioners. While the vehicle contains the same kind of blood collection equipment that is used in all nine Blood Center locations, its specially designed foldaway brackets and tables ensure the effective use of space.

The exterior design — blue skies surrounding a child imagining a better world — echoes the Blood Center’s inspiring ad campaign theme, “Imagine Saving a Life.” The Blood Center anticipates that the vehicle will collect blood in the community four to six times a week, or approximately 20-30 drives per month.

Although the vehicle is new, the 60-year-old Blood Center has a long and distinguished history of serving the community. The nonprofit organization has provided blood to five hospitals in Cowlitz and Clark County since 1996 and with the new Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital nearing completion, the Southwest Washington Blood Program solidifies the Blood Center’s commitment to the area.