ATLANTA - The winter is a difficult time of year for blood donations. With less than two weeks into the new year, the American Red Cross is already facing shortages of several blood types.
Supplies of O-negative, O-positive, A-negative and B-positive blood are currently at less than a day's supply, despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the past month.
These levels could drop even further in the coming days and weeks. Type O and type B blood are the most common needed to treat patients. O-negative can be used for all patients, but it is essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and pregnant women.
"There is a constant need for all blood types," said Randy Edwards, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region. "At times like this when there is potential shortage of the most widely used blood types on the shelves, it is felt across the region. We need people to come out and donate."
The American Red Cross is encouraging everyone who can give to donate blood. There are never enough blood donations made in Georgia to provide adequate blood for the patients in this state. Often blood must be brought in from other states. However, during the winter, donations drop.
Blood drives are being held across Georgia at various times and
locations. Donors are asked to visit www.givebloodredcross.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. The Southern Region needs 1,200 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply more than 130 hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Supplies of O-negative, O-positive, A-negative and B-positive blood are currently at less than a day's supply, despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the past month.
These levels could drop even further in the coming days and weeks. Type O and type B blood are the most common needed to treat patients. O-negative can be used for all patients, but it is essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and pregnant women.
"There is a constant need for all blood types," said Randy Edwards, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region. "At times like this when there is potential shortage of the most widely used blood types on the shelves, it is felt across the region. We need people to come out and donate."
The American Red Cross is encouraging everyone who can give to donate blood. There are never enough blood donations made in Georgia to provide adequate blood for the patients in this state. Often blood must be brought in from other states. However, during the winter, donations drop.
Blood drives are being held across Georgia at various times and
locations. Donors are asked to visit www.givebloodredcross.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. The Southern Region needs 1,200 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply more than 130 hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.