December 24, 2025
ISSUE 52
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Staff Report
D
ecember is already one of the most difficult months of the year for maintaining a stable blood supply. Holiday travel, seasonal illness, busy schedules, and winter weather all contribute to a predictable drop in donations. This year, widespread flooding across Pierce County and the region has significantly worsened the situation, creating what Bloodworks Northwest describes as a severe and immediate shortage. Bloodworks Northwest, which supplies blood to more than 90 hospitals across Washington and northern Oregon, says recent flooding linked to an ongoing atmospheric river has disrupted donation efforts at a critical time. According to the organization, historic flooding has forced more than 430 cancellations of potential blood donations since December 11. Those cancellations include the evacuation of Bloodworks Northwest’s Renton Lab and Renton Donor Center following a breach of the Green River levee earlier this week. The evacuation alone resulted in the loss of dozens of scheduled donations, further straining a system already under pressure during the holiday season. “These cancellations have created a severe shortfall, especially of Type O negative blood, which is at emergency low levels,” Bloodworks Northwest said in a statement. “This comes at a critical time when donations decline in the busy holiday season, and the blood shortage intensifies.”
WHY DECEMBER IS ALREADY A DIFFICULT MONTH Even in a typical year, December presents unique challenges for blood collection. Donation rates often decline as people travel, attend gatherings, or become ill with seasonal viruses. Mobile blood drives hosted at schools and workplaces are frequently paused during winter breaks, reducing the number of available donation opportunities. At the same time, hospital demand does not slow down. Blood is needed every day for trauma patients, people undergoing cancer treatment, premature babies, and individuals facing complications during surgery or childbirth. Blood cannot be manufactured, and its short shelf life means supplies must be continually replenished. Red blood cells can be stored for about 42 days, while platelets, which are critical for cancer patients, last only five days. When donation opportunities are lost in large numbers, especially during December, inventories can take weeks to recover. FLOODING TURNS A SEASONAL DIP INTO AN EMERGENCY This winter’s flooding has transformed what is usually a seasonal challenge into an emergency situation. Road closures, evacuations, and unsafe travel conditions have prevented donors from reaching centers and forced Bloodworks Northwest to cancel drives outright.
BLOOD DONATION, 3
Eatonville Earns Milestone League Victory Against Steilacoom By Skip Smith
E
atonville’s long wait for a league victory finally came to an end this past Friday night, as the Cruisers pulled away for a 62-52 boys basketball win over Steilacoom. The victory carried added meaning for the program. Eatonville’s previous league win came more than 1,000 days ago, when Shay Brannon was a member of the Cruisers roster and the team was playing in the 1A Evergreen league. On Tuesday, it was Shay’s younger brother, Jake Brannon, who helped Eatonville break the drought, connecting past and present in a milestone moment for the program. Preparation and momentum played a key role in Eatonville’s performance, according to head coach Josh Bennett. “We had a great day of practice before this game and I credit that to our guys buying into the game plan and also carrying the momentum and positives from the Washington game over,” Bennett said. Eatonville edged Steilacoom 12-11
HEATHER QUIRIE
Flooding Compounds Seasonal Blood Donation Challenges Across Pierce County
Eatonville's Amari Samuel seen here in a game earlier in the season scored a season-high 30 points to help the Cruisers break a league winless drought when they defeated the Steilacoom Sentinels this past Friday night. in the first quarter and stayed steady in the second, matching the Sentinels 19-19 to take a 31-30 lead into halftime. The Cruisers then tightened defensively in the third quarter, holding Steilacoom to 7 points to gain separation heading into the final period. “We won each quarter - we stressed not coming out flat and they did an
awesome job of setting the tone early in the game,” Bennett said. Eatonville put the game away with a 21-point fourth quarter, showing patience offensively and composure at the free throw line to close out the win.
LEAGUE VICTORY, 3
Ring in the New Year Early with a FamilyFriendly Celebration at Mill Haus Cider Co. Staff Report
N
ot everyone is a midnight person. For families with young children, early risers, and anyone who prefers to start January 1 feeling rested instead of worn out, New Year’s Eve can be a challenging holiday to navigate. This year, Mill Haus Cider Co. is offering a welcoming alternative with a familyfriendly Early New Year’s Eve celebration that brings the excitement of the holiday forward to a more manageable hour - without losing any of the magic. The event is designed for families who want to celebrate together, include kids in the tradition, and still be home before bedtime. Instead of waiting until midnight, guests are invited to ring in the New Year at 9 p.m., giving children the thrill of a countdown and parents the relief of an early evening. At the center of the celebration is a 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve countdown, projected on the taproom screen so everyone can gather, count down together, and cheer as the New Year arrives - right on schedule for families. Kids can watch the numbers tick down, shout the final seconds, and experience the excitement of New Year’s Eve in a way that feels special and inclusive. Early countdowns like this have become increasingly popular as families look for ways
to honor traditions without pushing routines too far. Staying up until midnight can be overwhelming for young children, and the next day often comes with overtired moods and disrupted schedules. A 9 p.m. countdown strikes a balance, offering all the fun without the fallout. Mill Haus Cider Co.’s taproom provides a natural setting for this kind of celebration. Known for its relaxed, community-focused atmosphere, the space feels welcoming for families, neighbors, and multigenerational groups. The focus is not on loud latenight partying, but on creating a festive environment where kids are genuinely welcome and parents can relax. Adding to the celebration is live music, inviting families to dance into the New Year — or at least until 9:30 p.m. For kids, the music offers a chance to move, wiggle, and burn off energy before the countdown. For parents, it adds to the celebratory mood without overwhelming the space or extending the night too late.
Food is also part of the experience, with food specials planned for the evening. While details are still to be announced, the promise of special offerings gives families the option to make the celebration a full outing rather than rushing home to prepare dinner. During the busy holiday season, that convenience is often part of the appeal. One of the most meaningful elements of the evening is the Community Wishes Wall, an interactive activity that invites guests of all ages to reflect on the year ahead. Families can write their hopes, gratitude, or fun intentions for 2025 on star-shaped notes, which will be displayed on the taproom wall throughout the year. For kids, the Wishes Wall becomes a creative moment — a chance to draw, write, and think about what they are excited for in the coming year.
MILL HAUS CIDER, 3