The American Red Cross has a severe shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors, as well as eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types, to donate during the shortage, according to a press release.
The Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types, and blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
Recent snowstorms and severe weather in many parts of the country have forced hundreds of blood drive cancellations, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.
Type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what emergency room personnel use if they don’t have time to determine a patient’s blood type.
O positive blood is also especially needed because it is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
For more information on how to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit the Red Cross website, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).