Opinions

Summer is around the corner, and Blood Bank of Alaska needs your help

The Blood Bank of Alaska (BBA), the state’s sole blood collection, processing and distribution nonprofit organization, continues to successfully manifest its core mission, to provide safe, pure and potent blood products to Alaskans in need. That mission, now in its 59th year, has faced challenges and opportunities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to report that our professional blood banking staff has met those challenges presented and, in fact, has responded with additional services that have been needed during these tough times for public health.

Along with uninterrupted core mission service delivery, the BBA now provides space in its facility as a convenient location for administering COVID-19 vaccinations to the general public. This partnership with the Municipality of Anchorage’s (MOA) Department of Health is an ongoing community benefit we are providing at no cost to the municipality or to the public. In addition, Blood Bank of Alaska is storing the MOA’s Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Again, at no cost to the municipality or to the public.

After first making an appointment by calling (907) 646-3322, Alaskans are welcome to visit the vaccination site within the BBA, Monday through Friday. Hours of operation vary, so be sure to call for an appointment and/or further information first. There are no appointments on Saturday or Sunday. This program is managed by the MOA Department of Health.

Regarding our core mission, the BBA needs about 3,000 blood and platelet donations monthly to meet the demands of our community hospitals throughout the state for a variety of necessary products. In addition to donating at our main center at 1215 Airport Heights in Anchorage, blood donors may use our facility in the Dimond Mall, and our facilities in Fairbanks, Juneau and Wasilla. To set up an appointment to donate your life-saving blood or platelets, call 907-222-5630. If you’re not already a blood donor, please consider stepping up and joining us. We need you! All blood collected to meet the medical needs of your family, friends, and neighbors is voluntarily donated, and we constantly need all blood types, especially O-positive, O-negative, and A-positive.

Just 37% of Americans are eligible to give blood, but only 3% to 4% do. The majority of us, therefore, depend on a relatively few dedicated volunteers to provide blood for our medical needs. One out of three of us will require blood or blood products in our lifetime. The Alaskan profile is similar, but with the added challenges of our expansive geographical realities. Your donation will be used to treat trauma patients, but on a more routine basis, will serve the mother who suffers complications in child birth, the infant with complications, heart and cancer patients and so many others.

To schedule a donation in Anchorage, call (907) 222-5630. You can also call this number to arrange a mobile blood collection vehicle to visit your site. In Fairbanks, call (907) 456-5645. In Juneau, call (907) 222-5680, and in Wasilla, call (907) 357-5555. To visit us online, go to www.bloodbankofalaska.org.

As we enter the season of increased activity in our fisheries, resource development, in-state travel, outdoor recreation, and sporting events, we need to remember that an increased need for blood and blood products is also upon us. Please support your Blood Bank of Alaska, Alaskans at work and play, visitors, and others who may experience medical trauma in the Great Land.

ADVERTISEMENT

Robert W. Scanlon is CEO of Blood Bank of Alaska.

The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.

Robert Scanlon

Robert Scanlon is chief executive officer of Blood Bank of Alaska.

ADVERTISEMENT