Bloodworks Northwest is calling on Plateau residents to sign up for a pop-up blood drive later this month.

The non-profit organization, which supplies blood to 90 hospitals around the Pacific Northwest, will be setting up at Black Diamond’s St. Barbara Catholic Church (32416 6th Ave.) on June 17, 18, 21, and 22.

Summer is a crucial time for blood drives for numerous reasons — according to Donor Recruitment Representative Rochelle Toro, when the weather becomes warmer and sunnier, fewer people make or keep their appointments, resulting in a slump of blood donations.

Additionally, high school blood drives account for 20 to 25 percent of Bloodworks’ supplies during the year, meaning that when school is out, blood shortage issues compound.

“We have less than a one-day supply of three blood types, which equates to just about 40 percent of our community’s blood supply,” Toro said on June 3. “This is how dire it is.”

Toro noted that there are still 125 openings for the upcoming drive.

“We have way too many appointments open for this pop-up” she added. “It is awfully scary.”

According to Bloodworks, one blood donation can save up to three lives — but if that’s not incentive enough for you, donating blood between now and the end of July will automatically enter you into two giveaway contests.

Those that donate in June will be entered to win one of two brand new electric Razor scooters, complete with a helmet in your choice of color.

Winners will be contacted on or about July 12, and will have 48 hours to accept the offer. You must be at least 18 years old to enter the contest.

Additionally, those that donate blood in June or July will be automatically entered into a contest to win one of 18 prizes from various Pacific Northwest sports stars.

You can receive one entry simply by heading to https://savemorelivesgiveblood.org/ and filling out the form at the bottom of the webpage; you can receive two entries when you follow through with an appointment and donate blood.

Prizes include a Sounders FC Match Experience with Roger Levesque, which includes a pre-game tailgate event and four tickets to a Sounders match; six pairs of Mariners game tickets with a baseball autographed by Dan Wilson; a limited edition autographed Russell Wilson art print (one of only 300 created); a match-worn 2020 Seattle Seawolves Mat Turner jersey; and more.

Winners will be announced on or about Sept. 15.