The American Red Cross has a severe shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors – as well as eligible blood donors of all blood types – to give now to ensure lifesaving patient care isn’t impacted this winter.

Type O blood is the most in-demand blood type, helping patients facing life-threatening conditions and emergencies every day. Type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what emergency room personnel reach for when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type. Type O positive blood is also especially needed because it is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types, and blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Recent snowstorms and severe weather in many parts of the country have forced hundreds of blood drive cancellations, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities :

Wells

3/18/2019: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., American Legion, 145 W. Franklin

3/18/2019: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Legion, 145 W. Franklin

Madelia

3/19/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Madelia High School, 320 Buck Ave. SE

Fairmont

3/22/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 300 S. Grant St.

Bricelyn

3/26/2019: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Community Center, 309 N. Main St.

Winnebago

3/28/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 140 Main St.

Individuals of all blood types – especially type O – are asked to make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).