Type O Negative Blood Supply Drops to Critically Low Levels

TINTON FALLS, June 21, 2010 - 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 now to help prevent the Type O negative blood supply from declining further.

“The American Red Cross is extending blood drive hours and reaching out to eligible blood donors, sponsors and community leaders to ask them to help recruit Type O negative blood donations to help make up for this shortfall,” says Brigid O’Neill-LaGier, Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services.

“While all blood types are needed during the summer months, we urge those eligible donors with O negative blood type to make and keep appointments to give blood in the upcoming days to help restore the inventory level,” O’Neill-LaGier added.

“The Red Cross monitors the blood inventory on a daily basis and when we see a trend or shortage emerging, we communicate the need to our generous blood donors to help us make up the shortfall,” said O’Neill-LaGier.

A shortage of Type O negative blood often occurs during the summer months when fewer donors are giving because of summer vacations and schools approaching summer break are hosting fewer drives.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to Approximately 100 hospitals and must have 1200 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.

Blood drives are held seven days a week in communities across the region. To make an immediate appointment for an American Red Cross blood drive this week please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to find a listing of community blood drives.

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in PA and NJ), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

Below is a list of Red Cross blood drives in Monmouth and Ocean County:

Tue. Jun 22 Garrow Family Chiropractic
12:00-6:00 American Red Cross Bus
Monmouth County 2204 Highway 35
Sea Girt 08750

Mon. Jun 28 Community Medical Center
7:00-1:00 Conference Rooms A/B/C
Ocean County 14 Hospital Drive
Toms River 08755

Mon. Jun 28 Community Medical Center
1:00-7:00 Conference Rooms A/B/C
Ocean County 14 Hospital Drive
Toms River 08755

Mon. Jun 28 Kimball Medical Center
7:00-1:00 Conference Room A/B/C
Ocean County 600 River Road
Lakewood 08701

Mon. Jun 28 Kimball Medical Center
1:00-6:00 Conference Room A/B/C
Ocean County 600 River Road
Lakewood 08701


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