We Are Blood In Urgent Need For Certain Blood Types For Central Texas Hospitals

AUSTIN, TX — We are Blood, the sole provider of blood to Central Texas hospitals, is experiencing a critical need for O negative and O positive blood, officials said.

The shortage of those two types of blood is heightened in its urgency given the start of school, the upcoming Labor Day weekend and potential severe weather in the area.

O Negative and O Positive blood are especially important given their universal tendencies. O Negative blood is the universal blood type and can be transfused into any patient, regardless of blood type. O Positive blood is the most common blood type, which means many Central Texas patients can receive it, officials noted.

We Are Blood serves more than 40 hospitals and medical facilities in a 10-county area. These Central Texas hospitals depend on the steady supply of blood provided by We Are Blood to help ensure all of the patients served have access to blood when they need it the most.

We Are Blood is encouraging all eligible donors—even if they are unsure of their blood type—to visit one of three We Are Blood donation locations or an upcoming mobile drive as soon as possible, officials said. As a thank you gift, all donors who donate, or attempt to donate at any We Are Blood donor center or mobile drive will receive one free P. Terry’s milkshake voucher now through Aug. 28.

Eligible donors must be in good health, at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 115 pounds.

We Are Blood has been providing and protecting the Central Texas blood supply since 1951, officials noted. "By inspiring people to donate locally and take pride in this precious shared resource, We Are Blood is making sure all Central Texans will continue to have access to life-saving blood when they need it," officials said.

For more information, to book an appointment at any of the three donation locations, or to view the mobile drive schedule, visit www.weareblood.org. Prospective donors can donate at any of the mobile drives or one of the three We Are Blood locations:

AUSTIN NORTH
4300 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78756

ROUND ROCK
2132 North Mays, Ste. 900, Round Rock, TX 78748

AUSTIN SOUTH
3100 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78748

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