Red Cross Issues Plea for Blood Donations

In a plea to the public, the American Red Cross announced Wednesday that the blood supply for Southern California has reached a crisis level.

Blood donations have fallen to an all-time low since the Fourth of July weekend, endangering elective surgeries throughout Southland hospitals, officials said.

Groups of O and B blood are at extremely low levels. The O positive group is at 9% of the desired level, and O negative is at 1%. Additionally, there is 10% of the desired level of B positive and 0% of B negative.

The Red Cross said a crucial need exists to stock all blood types, but the greatest need is for group O blood, because nearly half the population has that blood type. Group O negative is also the universal donor blood often used in emergencies.

Up to 40% of the blood provided by the Red Cross for use in Southland hospitals is provided by Red Cross centers in other states, which also are experiencing short blood supplies.

To be eligible to give blood, donors must be age 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and not be at risk for HIV/AIDS. To donate blood, call (800) GIVE-LIFE.