The American Red Cross is asking eligible donors with Type O blood to make an appointment to give now to help ensure there are blood products available for patients in need.
Approximately 48 percent of the population in the United States has Type O blood. There must always be enough Type O blood on hand to meet their needs, as well as the needs of patients who may receive Type O in an emergency. Type O Negative blood is considered universal and can be transfused to anyone in emergency situations when doctors don’t have time to get the patient’s blood type.
All blood types are needed. However, there is a particular need at this time for Type O donors to give blood as soon as possible to help ensure an adequate supply is available for those who need it.
If someone would like to give blood, they must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in general good health. Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID with them. Some states allow 16-year-olds to give with parental consent.
Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood. 44,000 blood donations are needed every day to help trauma victims, surgical patients, burn victims, patients with blood disorders and many others.
To schedule a donation time or get more information about giving blood, people can visit redcrossblood.org or call the St. George Red Cross Donor’s Center at 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment. The St. George Donor Center is located at 476 E Riverside Drive Suite B-6 in St. George.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.