CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - The supply of type O negative blood at the American Red Cross has dropped to critically low levels. Type O negative blood is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations. Type O negative donors are needed to help prevent the fragile type O negative blood supply from reaching a crisis level.
"While all blood types are needed during the critical summer months, we urge those eligible donors with O negative blood type to make and keep appointments to give blood this summer," says Christy Chapman, Communications Manager of the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region. "You can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a summer shortage."
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 57 hospitals and must have 900 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.