RED CROSS URGING BLOOD DONATIONS

The American Red Cross is facing a looming shortage of the blood types most needed by patients and is calling on eligible donors with O negative, B negative and A negative blood to give now to prevent an emergency situation. Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Overall blood donations in the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region have been approximately 1,549 fewer per month in June and July this year than the previous 10 months of the year. When demand for the most needed types begins to outpace donations, the Red Cross alerts donors to help restock the shelves.

Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types B negative and A negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients. Eligible donors are encouraged to donate double red cells – a process where two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor – where available.

Platelet donors and those with type AB blood are also continually needed to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood products they need. Platelets – a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, surgical patients and bone narrow recipients – must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed. Donors with type AB blood are urged to give blood or platelets to restock the plasma supply. Type AB donors have the universal plasma type, which can be given to patients of all blood types.

Individuals who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again.

A blood drive in honor of teacher and coach Shawn McLochlin is set for 1-6 p.m. Thursday at Logansport High School. McLochlin is battling stage 4 lung cancer and like many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, blood products are a critical part of his ongoing treatment.

Additional Red Cross Blood Drives are scheduled this month at Trine University, VFW Post 3790, Woodbridge Health Campus, the Logansport Mall and Galveston United Methodist Church.