Nationwide type O blood shortage hits Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE — Nationwide shortages of type O blood have hit the Pacific Northwest, according to Bloodworks Northwest.

The blood bank said the Northwest supply had dipped to alarmingly low levels that are even below what are considered to be emergency levels – less than a one-day supply.

Bloodworks says a normal operating inventory is a four-day supply and has issued an urgent appeal for donors over the next two weeks.

Donors can go to any of their 12 donor centers, or can check online for community blood drives happening close to where they live or work.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Information about locations and times can be found at bloodworksnw.org.

Make appointments online at BloodworksNW.org/Schedule or by phone at 1-800-398-7888.

Facts from Bloodworks Northwest:

• Type O negative blood is considered the universal blood type and can be transfused to any patient suffering from trauma when they are rushed to a hospital with no time to type that person's blood.
• 48% of the population has Type O blood
• The call for donors in the Northwest echoes data showing a nationwide blood shortage. It takes about 900 donors a day to maintain a sufficient blood supply for more than 90 hospitals served by Bloodworks in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
• We expect donations to fall by about 15 percent during summer -- with schools and colleges on break and donors on vacation. This year, the drop off has been closer to 25 percent.
• Donating blood takes less an hour and because blood can be broken down into its three components, each donation, about a pint, can potentially save three lives.
• Blood donations help trauma patients and also those with cancer, premature babies, surgery patients, and others who cannot live without the support of volunteer donors.

Cox Media Group