Thursday, September 15, 2011
Staff report
CLEVELAND
The Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is critically low on seven of the eight blood types and is unable to meet hospitals’ needs in a timely manner.
Hospital orders for type O negative and type O positive are being filled on a transfuse-only basis. This means hospitals requesting these types must have an immediate and specific need for a specific patient, according to the Red Cross.
In recent weeks, the number of eligible donors has sharply declined, yet the need for blood remains the same in the 57 hospitals served by the Northern Ohio Region.
Every day, 900 pints of blood are needed to support about 12,000 transfusions weekly, Red Cross officials said.
All blood types are needed now, and the Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make or keep appointments to give blood as soon as possible.
Donors should call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment.
People who are 17, meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on height) and are in generally good health, may be eligible to donate blood. Veteran donors are asked to bring their Red Cross blood-donor card or other form of positive ID when they come to donate.