INBC seeking holiday blood donors

Hoping to avert a blood shortage during the holidays, the Inland Northwest Blood Center is sponsoring a four-week blood drive starting Monday.

Organizers are offering incentives that range from T-shirts to the chance to win a stay at a timeshare or a downtown hotel package. The goal is to avoid the annual drop in donations that coincides with bad weather and busy holiday schedules, said Brett Johnson, marketing coordinator for the agency.

“We try to keep it at a four- to five-day level” of reserves, Johnson said. “Last year, we got down to one-day level. It was very concerning.”

Local officials figure it takes 150 units of blood every day to meet the needs of patients in the Inland Northwest.

Participants may donate blood at several sites. Those who do during the next four weeks will receive a “retro” Inland Northwest Blood Center T-shirt. They’ll also be entered into a drawing for a one-week stay at a Royal Aloha Vacation Club condominium timeshare in Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, Missouri, Mexico or Spain. Or they could win a “night on the town” package for two at the Davenport Hotel, including dinner and entertainment.

Collection centers include the following sites:

• Spokane: 210 W. Caltado Ave.

• Coeur d’Alene: 1341 Northwood Center Court.

• Lewiston: 1213 21st St.

Hospital centers include Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Valley Hospital and Medical Center in the Spokane Valley and Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake.

For more information or to make a donation appointment, call 624-0151 or (800) 423-0151.