Red Cross: significant need for more blood donations

The Red Cross needs help filling a critical blood shortage. The agency says there is “significant need” for type O.

It is extremely useful in emergency situations, because anyone can get it, no matter who the patient is, but it is only found in about seven-percent of the population.

Officials say they have to collect about 14,000 donations every day to supply 2,600 hundred hospitals and medical centers nationwide. They are used for accident or burn victims, surgery, cancer or sickle cell patients.

If you want to donate, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). A driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required.

There is also the RapidPass to save time on health history and registration ahead of time at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass