Highline Medical Center is hosting a blood drive with Puget Sound Blood Center Wednesday, Dec. 8th. The Puget Sound Blood Center needs to collect 900 units of blood per week day to support patients in Western Washington.

The blood drive will be held in Somers Auditorium, on Highline's Main Campus, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with a break from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Thirty-eight percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate - only 5 percent of eligible donors do donate on a yearly basis. But the number of transfusions nationwide increases 9 percent every year. Every 2 minutes someone in Western Washington needs a blood transfusion.

Those who are of 18 years of age and weigh 110 lbs or more may donate. If you are 16 or 17, you must have a parent or guardian signed Blood Center permission slip. Those can be found on Puget Sound Blood Center's website at www.psbc.org.

The appointment will last around one hour and involves a health questionnaire, brief examination and about 10 minutes of blood collection. After the donation, cookies, water and juice will be provided during the rest period.