Vitalant’s blood donation centers are reporting a critical shortage of type O blood.
“Since May, the type O blood supply has decreased and recently dropped to a two-year low,” wrote Vitalant representative Kevin Adler in a media release. “Between now and the end of July, thousands of blood donation appointments in the Inland Northwest still need to be filled.”
O-negative blood can be used for all patients, while O-positive blood can be used for anyone with a positive blood type.
“Patients with type O-positive blood make up about 39% of the population, but they can only receive type O blood,” said Jacob Bird, a mobile recruitment manager at Vitalant. “When there’s a shortage, doctors may have to decide who can receive it immediately and who can wait. That is why maintaining an adequate supply of all blood types is essential to ensure every patient gets the blood they need, especially when seconds count.”
Blood donation centers have seen even fewer donors over the Fourth of July holiday, Adler wrote, compounding the existing shortage.
Most people are eligible to donate blood, and donations typically take about an hour. Blood donors of all types, especially type O and platelet donors, are asked to make an appointment.
Donors can give at any one of five Vitalant donation centers in the Inland Northwest, including in Lewiston, or at any of the over two dozen community blood drives held each week. Those can be found at donors.vitalant.org.
