Red Cross appeals for blood donations

The American Red Cross, Northern Ohio Blood Services Region, declared a blood emergency Monday, with seven blood types below minimum standards.
Blood types O Negative and O Positive were at less than half-day supply.
Currently, the Northern Ohio Region is receiving aid from other Red Cross regions. However, blood donations are falling rapidly across the country, said David H. Plate, chief executive officer for the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region in Cleveland.
Exacerbating the situation is the upcoming July Fourth holiday, traditionally a time of low blood collections.
"At the same time as the number of people who donate decreases, higher numbers of travel and recreation accidents increase the need for blood," Plate said.
The other blood supply levels on Monday: A Negative and B Negative, less than a one-day supply; B Positive, one-day supply; A Positive, less than a two-day supply.
The Red Cross asks that all eligible blood donors give blood now. Donors must be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and provide photo identification. For information on blood drives, call (800) GIVE-LIFE (448-3543).