Urgent Need For Blood Donations Ahead Of Memorial Day

TAMPA BAY, FL — With the long Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, officials at OneBlood, the Tampa Bay region’s blood supplier, are issuing a plea for help.

“Blood donations are urgently need for all blood types,” the organization wrote to media Thursday. A similar plea was issued earlier in the week, but donations that have come in haven’t quite covered the anticipated need.

A number of factors have combined to stress the region’s blood supply, OneBlood spokesman Daniel Eberts said.

“The critical need we are experiencing right now is the result of an increased usage by area hospitals,” Eberts said. “School is winding down and that means high school and college blood drives are ending. Snow birds are returning to the north and many local residents are leaving for vacation. “

Complicating matters is the fact that less than 10 percent of the population donates blood, Eberts added.

“If you have never given before, now is a great time to visit one of our donor centers or hop on the Big Red Bus and donate,” he said. “It only takes a few minutes of your time and you are literally helping save someone’s life.”

While all blood types are welcomed from donors, there is a particular need for O Negative and O Positive, OneBlood reported.

“O Negative is critical for trauma patients, premature babies, cancer patients and emergency surgeries,” an email from OneBlood to media stated. “Only 7% of the population has O Negative blood, however because of its universal power, it remains in constant demand by hospitals.”

As for O Positive, this type is also in high demand. Since about 37 percent of the population has this blood, it is the “most popular” type and is transfused more often than others.

People who donate blood between Thursday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 31 at one of the region’s donor centers will receive a free T-shirt and a $10 eGift card.

To donate blood, people need to be in generally good health and at least 16 years of age. A minimum weight of 110 pounds is also required.

To find a Big Red Bus donation site or a donor center, visitwww.oneblood.org online. Prospective donors may also call 1.888.9DONATE for more information. One Blood hosts blood drives throughout the Tampa Bay area on a regular basis and has permanent blood donation sites in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Manatee counties, among others.

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