Red Cross Seeks Blood Donations

The local chapter of the American Red Cross issued an emergency appeal for blood donations Monday to help replenish an inventory that has diminished to crisis levels nationwide.

The shortage, which includes both blood and platelets, is especially severe in Southern California, said Marc Jackson, Los Angeles region spokesman for Red Cross Blood Services.

“Any area like this one that has major medical centers that draw people from all over the country is more likely to have shortages,” Jackson said.

Nationally, the Red Cross has 9% of its desired inventory of type O-positive and only 3% of type O-negative, officials said. Supplies of types B-positive and A-negative are at 5% and 12%, respectively, of desired inventory.

Blood donations traditionally decrease by half during the winter holiday season, officials said.

The long holiday weekends this season, with Christmas and New Year’s falling on Thursdays, combined with one of the worst cold and influenza seasons in years, contributed to the depletion of blood supplies in the area, officials said.

“There is no indication that the community blood supply will recover without people making a significant commitment to give blood now,” said Rich Krieg, chief operating officer of the Southern California region.

“Without increased blood donations, we will not be able to adequately resupply the 150-plus hospitals we serve.”

To give blood, one must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and not at risk for HIV/AIDS, officials said.

Those who want to donate platelets, which are critical for patients with clotting problems, can expect to spend about two hours at a donor site, Jackson said. Simple blood donations take about 45 minutes, he said.

There are several donor sites in the Valley. For a list of sites, call (800) 448-3543.