Red Cross needs your blood right now

CLEVELAND — The American Red Cross reports an urgent need for donors of blood platelets and blood types O, B and A negative.

Blood products are being distributed to area hospitals almost as quickly as donations are coming in, said Christy Sabaka, communications program manager for the Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region, which needs about 900 donors a day to meet the need for blood.

Eligible donors with blood types O, B and A negative are especially encouraged to give double red cells where available. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

For information on how to donate, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.