CLEVELAND Red Cross issues a call for blood donors in northern Ohio

CLEVELAND -- Northern Ohio is facing a blood shortage emergency, according to the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region.
As of Monday morning, local blood supplies were critically below minimum inventory standards on six blood types, said Karen Kelley, manager of communications and marketing.
There was less than one-half day supply of two types, including O negative, the universal donor for emergencies; and platelets, a blood component used to treat cancer patients. The platelet supply has been at a critical level for the past week, Kelley said. Platelets are of particular concern because they have a shelf life of only five days. Red cells last 42 days; and plasma can be frozen for up to a year, officials said.
Low collections for the past several months have contributed to dwindling blood supplies in the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region, which supplies 19 counties, including Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana.
The low inventory was strained through the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Red Cross Hospital Services Manager Ben Flossie received assistance from Red Cross blood donors in six cities outside the region in some blood types, but not all.
Blood donors are needed as soon as possible, Kelley said. To donate blood, a person must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. For information on local blood drives, call toll free (800) 448-3543) or visit www.redcross.org/northernohio.