Red Cross Facing Type O Negative Blood Shortage

The Red Cross is asking those with type O negative blood to step up and donate. The agency monitors the blood supply daily  and has noted they are facing a critical shortage of that particular blood type. The blood bank may face a summer shortage if people do not get in and donate in the next few weeks. The Red Cross is encouraging those who are eligible to give blood to do so as soon as possible. O negative is a popular blood type and can be given to anybody with any blood type.

The number of eligible donors continues to decrease while the need for blood increases or stays the same. Donors need to be at least 17 years old and reach minimum weight requirements. Donors are only allowed to donate every 56 days and must pass a screening process before they can donate blood. The screening questionnaire is private and will not be revealed to anybody, unless required by law. Donated blood is tested before it is passed along to hospitals and other agencies. If a person’s blood tests positive for one of the conditions tested, the donor is confidentially notified via mail.

The Red Cross explains giving blood is relatively simple and only takes about 10 minutes out of the day. Every time a person donates blood, they are potentially saving the lives of three people. An alert from the Red Cross typically sparks an army of blood drives making it convenient for potential donors to visit.