Red Cross's type O negative blood supply reaches critical levels

BIRMINGHAM, AL-  The American Red Cross announced Thursday that their supply of type O negative blood has dropped to critically low levels.

Type O negative blood is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type.

"While all blood types are needed during the critical summer months, we urge those eligible donors with O negative blood type to make and keep appointments to give blood this summer," said Mark Beddingfield, CEO of the American Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region.  "You can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a summer shortage."

The Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to approximately 100 hospitals and must have 600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand.

Individuals who are 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements, and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood.

For more information, you can call 1-800-RED CROSS.