Red Cross Blood Donations at Seriously Low Level; Blood Donors Needed
All blood types are needed – especially type O negative, B negative and A negative – to ensure blood supplies do not drop to emergency levels.
“Summer blood donors can mean the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage,” said Greg Novinska of the Badger-Hawkeye Red Cross Blood Services region. “We are asking eligible donors to make appointments in the coming days to reverse the downward trend in donations that we have seen this summer.”
With many donors busy or traveling and school out of session, donations have dropped dramatically. In fact, during May and June 2011, while the need for blood products remained steady, donations were at the lowest level during this time frame in 12 years. More recently extreme heat experienced throughout the region may be contributing to fewer donations.
The Red Cross needs blood donors – now more than ever – to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible.
To show appreciation to those who help save lives near the upcoming Labor Day holiday (August 29 to September 7), all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives and blood donation centers in the Badger-Hawkeye region will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $500 gas card. This is a part of the Red Cross’ summer-long Good to Give. Good to Go. promotion that features holiday-themed raffles and a chance for one lucky donor (21 and older) in the Mid-America Blood Services Division to win a trip for four (4) to Orlando, Florida.
Type O Negative Blood - News
Though the American Red Cross issued a national appeal for blood donors on July 11, blood products are going out to area hospitals just as quickly as donations are coming in. All blood types are needed – especially type O negative, B negative and A
"Right now we have seriously low levels of blood, and especially type O-negative," she said. She said there is a national shortage but it is being seen locally as well. Summer is a time when the Red Cross usually sees a drop in donations because
Because of the characteristics of these blood types, people with Type O must receive a transfusion of Type O blood. However, people with other blood types can receive a transfusion of Type O-negative blood in an emergency. This gives Type O-negative
Pen Bay will hold a blood drive Monday, Aug. 8 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Physician Building. All blood types are needed, but there is a critical need for type O positive and negative, as well as A negative and B negative. For more information or to
The people in St. George are good to donate blood but offering the ice cream will be a bonus for their generosity." DeBoer also explained that the supply of type O negative blood has dropped to critical levels. "Type O negative blood is always in high
In Kern County, 'blood knows no color' | Houchin Community Blood Bank
A crisis is looming over this nation, where approximately 60 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate lifesaving blood, but only about 3 percent is actually donating.
This anemic donation rate is slamming against increasing demands for blood and blood products that result from an aging population and medical breakthroughs. Further challenging supplies are the traditional drop-off of donations during summer vacation and holiday months.
But with an estimated 34,000 pints of blood needed in the U.S. every day, a new and perhaps more serious challenge looms. It is the nation’s population shift.
The 2010 U.S. census revealed Hispanics now constitute more than 49 percent of Kern County’s population. They are nearly 38 percent of California’s and 18 percent of the U.S. population.
However, the American Red Cross estimates that Hispanics constitute less than 4 percent of the nation’s blood donors. There are many reasons for this low donor rate. But primarily it is because families with deep roots in other countries often are not familiar with the U.S. system that depends on many generous people regularly donating their blood — often to perfect strangers — through their community blood banks. In other countries, the blood supply depends on a “replacement” system — relatives and friends “replacing” blood when a patient needs a transfusion.
About 45 percent of the U.S. population has Type O blood. But researchers have discovered that Hispanics have a greater proportion of Type O blood than other groups: Mexico, 71 percent; Guatemala, 62 percent; and Venezuela, 54 percent.
These numbers present both opportunities and challenges. Increasing blood donations among an increasing Hispanic population, as well as other minority groups, will help bolster Kern County’s and the nation’s blood supply. But as the populations of these groups grow, so does their need for blood. And in some instances, blood transfusions are more compatible when the donor and recipient share the same ethnic backgrounds.
The most common type of blood, which is also in the highest demand, is Type O. Within this type, O-positive is the most common, with O-negative being less common. There are three other major blood types: A, B and AB.
Because of the characteristics of these blood types, people with Type O must receive a transfusion of Type O blood. However, people with other blood types can receive a transfusion of Type O-negative blood in an emergency. This gives Type O-negative blood its “universal” reputation. Depending on other compatibility factors, Type O-positive also may be given to people with other blood types.
RT @: The lab results indicated that my blood was AB negative, but the doctor told me it was just a Type O.
Bazooka Joe-esque RT @: The lab results indicated that my blood was AB negative, but the doctor told me it was just a Type O.
RT @: The lab results indicated that my blood was AB negative, but the doctor told me it was just a Type O.
The lab results indicated that my blood was AB negative, but the doctor told me it was just a Type O.
Related: More people have negative blood types (O- = 7%, A- = 6%) than my type. Only A- and AB- are rarer. My Grandpap has AB-, the rarest.Type O Negative Blood - Bookshelf
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They can receive blood from any other type but can donate only to their own type . People with type O negative blood make no A, B, or Rh antigens, ...Day-by-day Knowledge Directory
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Blood type (or blood group) is determined, in part, by the ABO blood group antigens ... red blood cells, individuals with type O Rh D negative blood are ...
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The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood type. ... Some patients require a closer blood match than that provided by the ABO positive/negative blood typing. ...
Blood Type O Negative | LIVESTRONG.COM
Blood Type O Negative. Lifestyle, fitness & health information about Blood Type O Negative. ... If you are pregnant, it is smart to wonder about your blood type. ...