Serious Shortage of 'Type O' Blood
The blood supply has been declining since Memorial Day weekend, but this past weekend had a sudden increase in the use of type O blood, according to the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania.
Type O negative is critically low. O negative is the "universal donor," meaning any patient regardless of their blood type can receive it. O negative is typically used in emergencies and traumas.
The Community Blood Bank in Bradford is open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in Union Square. No appointment is needed.
"There has just been a constant drain of type O blood, but the other types aren't doing too well either," says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the CBB. "We've just seen a sudden spike in the use of type O negative in the past few days and we need it to safeguard local patient safety."
Type O negative is critically low. O negative is the "universal donor," meaning any patient regardless of their blood type can receive it. O negative is typically used in emergencies and traumas.
The Community Blood Bank in Bradford is open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in Union Square. No appointment is needed.
"There has just been a constant drain of type O blood, but the other types aren't doing too well either," says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the CBB. "We've just seen a sudden spike in the use of type O negative in the past few days and we need it to safeguard local patient safety."
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