THREE BLOOD TYPES AT LESS THAN A DAY'S SUPPLY

Red Cross Asks Donors to Donate Now

(Southern Pines) - Two weeks into the new year, the American Red Cross faces a severe shortage of several blood types.  Locally, supplies of type O negative, B negative and A negative blood are at less than a day's supply despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the past month.

The Red Cross is asking blood donors to donate immediately to prevent supply levels from dropping even further in the coming days and weeks. 

While all blood types are needed, the low supply of type O blood is of particular concern.  Type O is the most commonly used blood type.  O negative blood can be used for all patients, but it is often essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and women who are pregnant.

Blood drives are scheduled at various times and locations across the area. 

Wednesday, Jan. 16th, 10am - 3 pm - Sandhills Communtiy College @ Blue Hall

Tuesday, Jan. 22nd, 1:30pm - 6pm - Moore Co. Red Cross Office @ 244 SW Broad St.

Thursday, Jan. 24th, 10am - 2:30pm - FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness

 Wednesday, Jan. 30th, 1:30pm - 6pm - Emmanuel Episcopal Church @ Corner of E. Mass. Ave. & So. Ridge St.          

Donors are asked to call the Moore County Chapter at 910-692-8571 to schedule an appointment. The Carolinas Blood Services Region needs 1,600 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply the 103 hospitals it serves.  Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.