Mission in Motion for a more equitable blood supply

Around 3% of the US population gives blood each year. However, due to cultural and social inequities, only 1% of the Black population donates.

Blood donation represents a civic commitment — an opportunity to connect to your community that we want everyone to experience. But there’s also a medical need for diversity in the blood supply.

Blood types are tied to the part of the world your ancestors came from.

Patients who receive regular blood transfusions, such as those with sickle cell disease (SCD), may become more sensitive to donor antibodies over time and need blood matched beyond the main ABO and Rh blood groups. SCD impacts more than 100,000 Americans, and over 90% of SCD patients in the United States are Black.

For frequently transfused patients, it’s imperative to have a robust, diverse donor pool. Building an equitable blood supply must be a priority for blood centers across the country.

In 2025, Bloodworks conducted the first-ever large-scale study of Black donors in the Pacific Northwest.

Through a survey of 1,400 participants and focused conversations with local Black community leaders, we learned there are several key factors behind this discrepancy: mistrust in the medical system, uncertainty around eligibility, availability due to work and family commitments, and lack of general awareness about blood donation.

Immigrant communities may face additional challenges, such as cultural or language barriers.

To be blunt: “We do a really bad job reaching out to Black people,” said Harry Thomas, VP, Marketing & Community Engagement at Bloodworks.

Harry sat down with John Yeager of Bloodworks 101 to share more.

Bloodworks has a commitment to educate, build relationships, and expand access to blood donation across all the communities we serve.

One of the ways we do this is through mobile drives. By partnering with local companies, churches, civic groups, and other community organizations, we’re able to meet donors where they are. You are more likely to donate blood if someone you trust asks you to.

We can’t host blood drives without the right tools.

Our Mission in Motion campaign envisions a brand-new mobile fleet for Bloodworks. This means raising funds for new bloodmobiles, trucks, and equipment to serve even more donors.

Hosting a blood drive or making a financial donation to Mission in Motion are big ways to support this mission, but making a difference can be as easy as spreading the word by sharing a Bloodworks social media post, checking out blood donation eligibility requirements, or scheduling your next donation.