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Three blood types at less than a day’s
supply
Two weeks into the new year, the American Red Cross faces a severe
shortage of several blood types. Locally, supplies of type O negative,
B negative and A negative blood are at less than a day’s
supply, despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the
past month, says a Red Cross spokesperson.
The Red Cross is asking blood donors to donate immediately to
prevent supply levels from dropping even further in the coming
days and weeks.
“It is important to note that coming off of a major holiday
period, the need for blood never takes a holiday,” Robert
F. Fechner, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross
Carolinas Blood Services Region, said. “In addition to the
holiday challenges, during the winter donations drop and the supply
of blood often dips to dangerously low levels.”
While all blood types are needed, the low supply of type O blood
is of particular concern. Type O is the most commonly used blood
type. O negative blood can be used for all patients, but it is
often essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns
and women who are pregnant.
Blood drives are scheduled at various times and locations across
the area.
Donors are asked to visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE
(448-3543). The Carolinas Blood Services Region needs 1,600 blood
donations a day in order to adequately supply the 103 hospitals
it serves. Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110
pounds.
For a listing of area blood drives, contact the Watauga County
Chapter of the American Red Cross at (828) 264-8226.
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