Only 7% of the American population has “O” negative blood. It is a universal type that emergency providers go to when they have no time to make a blood match. The American Red Cross has just a two-day supply on hand and that means they’re in desperate straits to build up their national blood bank.
American Red Cross representative Cynthia De La Torre says it is an urgent call to the community to give blood. She says influenza affects the blood collection along with bad weather. Sometimes they’re forced to cancel winter blood drives due to difficult travel conditions.
“Over 50% of the Latino population has that “O” blood type and then about 47% of the African American population has that blood type as well. An overall 7% of the US population has that “O” negative blood you know those have been the challenges that we've been facing that have caused this system blood shortage."
She says every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. They collect 13,000 blood donations a day and supply to 2500 hospitals. She points out that premature babies often are born anemic and need transfusions along with unexpected emergency conditions.
“You know we forget about the day to day, you know, those cancer patients that need it before chemotherapy treatments. We have sickle cell anemia patients that regularly need those blood transfusions as well to prevent, you know, pain crisis. Especially those who haven't given blood before you know and trying to get that New Year's resolution going still.”
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable national supply. To donate blood, two forms of ID are needed at check in. You must weigh at least 110 pounds and in generally good health. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
De La Torre says if a donor is taking medication, giving blood can be feasible. Go to redcrossblood.org/eligibility to see the list of accepted medications.
The Red Cross will be set up to take blood donations in Heber City on January 22 and 28. In Park City, they’ll be set up January 28 and 31. If interested in giving blood blood the locations, times and details will be posted on KPCW.org.
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Heber City on 1/22/2020:
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,
Redmond, Inc. - SOAR, 475 West 910 South
Heber City on 1/28/2020:
2 p.m. - 6 p.m.,
Mountain View Fellowship,
271 N 600 W.
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Park City 1/28/2020:
11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westgate Resorts,
3000 Canyon Resorts Drive
Park City 1/31/2020:
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.,
Crossfit Park City, 2780 Rasmussen Road
