December is typically slow for giving blood, according to Matt Pope, who oversees the Vitalant North Idaho and Montana blood and plasma donation centers.

He said each donation is critical to improving the lives of people in hospitals.

"One in seven people who enter a hospital will need blood as part of their care," Pope said. "This region needs 200 units of blood a day to meet hospital needs." 

A Dec. 9 news release from Vitalant states donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O and platelet donors. Type O can help the most patients because of its compatibility. Platelets often help cancer patients, but maintaining that supply requires constant donations, because platelets must be used within a week of donation.

Giving blood helps maintain a steady supply essential for patients battling chronic illness, undergoing surgery or recovering from traumatic injuries.   

Coeur d’Alene resident Ryan Maxwell carved out time to donate Thursday.

“The process is always easy," he said.

Maxwell said the people in his life who have received blood at critical times strengthened his desire to donate blood.

“I’ve received notifications that my blood helped someone, and that’s pretty awesome,” he said. 

Vitalant provides donated blood to medical centers throughout the Inland Northwest. 

Upcoming Blood Drives:  

Kootenai Health: 2 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at 2003 Kootenai Health Way.

Bonner General Health: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at 520 N. Third Ave., Sandpoint.

Kootenai County Justice Building: 9 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30, 324 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

Eligible donors can also give at the Vitalant Coeur d’Alene donation center at 405 W. Neider Ave.

Appointments receive high priority, but walk-ins are accepted. To sign up, visit donors.vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call 1-877-25-4825. 

    Alex Kinnear checks Ryan Maxwell for the best place to draw blood at Vitalant Coeur d'Alene.