With the busy summer in full swing, the American Red Cross (RedCrossBlood.org) asks donors to celebrate by making a blood or platelet donation appointment to help power the blood supply through the dog days of summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed.
Making and keeping donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients, including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions, in the weeks to come. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.
How To Donate Blood:
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive.