Blood shortage at Red Cross

Staff report

CLEVELAND

Critically low blood supplies have led the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region to issue an urgent appeal for blood donors.

The Northern Ohio Blood Services Region serves 19 counties, including Mahoning and Trumbull, and needs to collect about 900 units of blood a day to meet patient needs at 57 hospitals, officials said.

Because of low supplies, the Red Cross is unable to meet many blood orders for local hospitals in the timeliest manner.

Some blood orders — particularly type O-negative — have been placed on back order, and the Red Cross is filling only orders for type O-negative that have an immediate and specific need for a specific patient.

O-negative blood always is in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations.

There also is need for all blood types. The Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make or keep appointments to give blood as soon as possible. Call 800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org online to schedule an appointment.