Donors needed: Red Cross issues urgent call for most needed blood types

MILWAUKEE -- 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 Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region have been approximately 1,622 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.

“Summer blood shortages are not uncommon, but they can be prevented when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” said Katie Gaynor, external communications manager for the Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region. “Many donors have already given this summer. We’re now asking donors who haven’t donated, and those who are eligible again, to make an appointment to give now to help ensure blood products are available for patients.”

Platelets and type AB plasma also needed

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 marrow 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 and help patients like an expectant mother at a Red Cross-supported hospital who is currently receiving nearly 100 units of blood products a week until she delivers. Her need alone could add up to 1,100 units.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Dodge County

Beaver Dam

8/12/2015: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., J.B. Kenehan, 555 Beichl Ave

Fox Lake

8/12/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Living Hope Community Church, 740 W. State St

Kenosha County

Kenosha

8/18/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5601 Washington Rd

Milwaukee County

Milwaukee

8/25/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., UWM Student Union, 2200 Kenwood Blvd

Wauwatosa

8/11/2015: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., YMCA W Suburban Branch, 2420 N 124th St

Ozaukee County

Port Washington

8/25/2015: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Port Washington Adult Community Senior Center, 403 W Foster St

Racine County

Union Grove

8/21/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Union Grove Christian School, 417 15th St

Walworth County

Delavan

8/17/2015: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 416 W Geneva

Lake Geneva

8/14/2015: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St Francis De Sales, 148 W Main St

Washington County

Germantown

8/22/2015: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Germantown Community Library, N112W16957 Mequon Rd

Hartford

8/24/2015: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Dave's Lanes, 218 N Main St

West Bend

8/19/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Bend City Hall, 1115 S Main Street

Waukesha County

Delafield

8/21/2015: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Delafield City Hall, 500 Genesee St

Dousman

8/17/2015: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Highview Evangelical Presbyterian Church, S50 W33042 Town Rd GE

Genesee Depot

8/19/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Genesee Town Hall, S43 W31391 Hwy 83

Mukwonago

8/19/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Mukwonago Community Library, 511 Division St

New Berlin

8/14/2015: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., New Berlin Public Library, 15105 Library Ln

8/18/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Star of Bethlehem Church and School, 3700 S Casper Drive

Pewaukee

8/11/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd

8/13/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd

8/14/2015: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road

8/18/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd

8/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd

8/20/2015: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills, N36W24130 Pewaukee Rd

8/25/2015: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Rd

 How to donate blood

The free Blood Donor App – available in app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 – not only makes appointment scheduling easy, but donors can also access their digital donor card and be notified when their donation is distributed to a hospital.

Donors can also visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.