Red Cross Issues Blood Donor Appeal

Calling the local blood supply “fragile,” the American Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors.

A combination of factors has left the American Red Cross with half of its preferred inventory of O negative blood in Southern California.

“Due to the holidays, cold and flu season and the severe weather back East, we have the makings of a severe blood shortage,” said Julie Juliusson, American Red Cross spokeswoman. “But we’re trying to avert that and hoping it doesn’t happen.”

Only 3% of Southland residents donate blood, according to the American Red Cross. This forces the nonprofit organization to import 40% of the blood used in Southern California from Red Cross centers in other parts of the country.

Several San Fernando Valley hospitals are planning blood drives in January, which has been named National Volunteer Blood Donor Month by the American Assn. of Blood Banks and the American Red Cross. Donors should weigh at least 110 pounds, be 17 years or older, in good health and not at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Northridge Hospital Medical Center will draw blood from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays at its Donor Room at 18300 Roscoe Blvd. Appointments can be made by calling (818) 885-5345.

The hospital, which has a trauma center, uses 400 to 600 pints of blood each month. Only 25% of the necessary blood is drawn from donors at the hospital; the remainder comes from the American Red Cross, said Susan Pollack, blood bank supervisor.

Glendale Adventist Medical Center will have a blood drive on Jan. 9 in its main auditorium. For times and reservations, call (818) 409-8050.

To donate blood at an American Red Cross center, call (800) GIVELIFE.