Red Cross Has Critical Blood Shortage, Needs Donors

The American Red Cross has reached critically low levels of a specific blood type.

WLOS reports that the American Red Cross has a critical shortage of Type O blood. Currently, they have less than a two-day supply of Type O blood in emergency rooms. That means there are only 6 units of type O blood available for every 100,000 people. While that seems like plenty, at least 14 are needed each day.

Only 7% of the U.S. population has type O negative blood, according to WLOS. However, type O negative is the universal donor and can be transfused to any patient. Typically, this is what the hospital staff go for during emergencies when there isn't time to determine a patient's blood type. Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type.

According to WLOS, the Red Cross is giving all who donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross between May 1 and June 10 a $5 Amazon gift card. To make a donation with the Red Cross, you can make an appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or online at redcrossblood.org

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