In midst of critical shortage, 13,040 area donors with universal blood type eligible to give blood

Eleven years ago, from September 11-15, 2001, Americans stood in line together and donated blood for their fellow man! Although it was a terrible time in the history of the United States, volunteer blood donors packed the Blood Assurance centers, wanting to help in any way they could.

As we remember the losses on that terrible day, please also remember the good that people showed by volunteering, and by donating blood. Today, Blood Assurance is in critical need of O negative blood and we need your help. Blood Assurance is working on behalf of area patients to appeal to the 13,040 area donors who have type O negative blood who are currently eligible to give blood.

These donors are located throughout the 34-county region that Blood Assurance serves, and Blood Assurance’s donors are the only source of blood components for more than 50 hospitals and healthcare facilities.
O negative donations are used first in an emergency situation, when the patient’s own blood type is unknown.
In addition to appealing to the public as a whole, Blood Assurance offers phone calls and emails to donors based on their contact preferences to remind them when they are eligible to donate again.

Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent). All donors will receive a snack and complimentary t-shirt.

To find a blood drive near you, please visit www.bloodassurance.org/blooddrives or call 1-800-962-0628 to schedule your appointment.