Bloodworks Northwest will be setting up a pop-up donor center in Black Diamond at the end of the month.

This will be the first time the blood donation organization has come to the Plateau since the coronavirus pandemic, which caused countless elective surgeries to be postponed and a re-structuring of blood drives.

But as the country begins to re-open and hospitals start tackling that backlog of procedures, “the need for blood has significantly increased,” the organization stated in a press release, and is hoping their new pop-up donation centers will attract enough people to keep up with the demand.

According to Meg Hall, a Bloodworks Northwest regional recruitment manager, hospitals from Southeast Alaska to southern Oregon — Bloodworks’ clients — need about 900 units of blood per day.

The Black Diamond pop-up donor centers will be collecting blood on June 29 and 30, as well as July 1, 8, and 9 at the Masonic Center (32523 3rd Ave.).

“I am very proud of our Black Diamond Freemasons,” said Tony Moss of the local Masons group. “The community is in need; and we have the assets and abilities to accommodate. Our partnership with Bloodworks NW is a perfect example of our mission as Freemasons.”

Before you sign up to donate, though, there are several more rules to adhere to.

Maybe most importantly, walk-in appointments are no longer allowed — Bloodworks Northwest is requiring everyone to schedule an appointment by calling 800-398-7888 or by visiting their website, www.bloodworksnw.org.

Additionally, no guests or children under the age of 16 are allowed onsite.

Masks are also required in order to donate.

Although the time it takes to donate blood differs from person to person, Bloodworks Northwest encourages donors to plan for an hour-long appointment, which includes signing in and preparation for donating blood.