Bloodworks Northwest issued an urgent appeal for donors after the community supply for Type O blood – the most common blood type among people in the Northwest – plunged by 37 percent since the beginning of July.

“Sadly, more people needed life-saving trauma care recently, reminding us that the need for blood doesn’t take summer vacation,” said James P. AuBuchon, M.D., president and CEO of Bloodworks. The need for blood is continuous for patients having surgeries, trauma care, organ transplants, and cancer treatment. While there is a specific need for type O donors, all blood types are needed to maintain stable inventories.

Upcoming blood drives:

• San Juan Island Blood Drive on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Mullis Community Senior Center.

• Orcas Island Blood Drive on Thursday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the fire station in Eastsound.

• Lopez Island Blood Drive on Friday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 1:30-2:15) at the Community Church in the village.