Blood supplies reported to be low in north Ohio

CLEVELAND -- Supplies of several blood types are very low in the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, which serves Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Red Cross officials said the region started Friday with only a 12-hour supply of O Negative and O Positive blood types. Blood type O Negative remains under a "transfuse only" directive, which does not allow hospitals to store an extra supply in case of an emergency.
This is treacherous because that of type O blood is the universal donor that hospitals utilize in crisis situations where a patient's blood type is undetermined, officials said. Blood type O Positive is under a "minimum need" directive, which means it can only fulfill minimal amounts presently being requested. Four other blood types are also dangerously low and below minimum inventory standards, officials said.
Blood transfusions are used for trauma victims, heart surgery, organ transplants, women with complications during childbirth, patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.
The Red Cross urged all who are eligible to donate as soon as possible. To donate, a donor must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and provide a valid photo ID upon donation. For additional information or to find a blood or platelet donation site, call (800) 448-3543 or visit RedCrossDonor.org.