ORLANDO — An immediate appeal is being issued for all O Negative and O Positive blood donors to donate with OneBlood, the local blood center as soon as possible.
The supply of O Negative and O Positive has reached extremely low levels due to high usage in area hospitals. With the Memorial Day holiday approaching donations are urgently needed.
O Negative blood is the universal blood type, meaning any patient can receive O Negative regardless of the recipient’s blood type. O Negative is critical for trauma patients, premature babies, cancer patients and emergency surgeries.
Only 7 percent of the population has O Negative blood, however because of its universal power, it remains in constant demand by hospitals.
O Positive is the most popular blood type of the two; 37 percent of the population has O Positive blood, making it the most popular blood type. Since more people have O Positive blood than any other blood type, it is transfused more often and is also in high demand.
To find a donation center or Big Red Bus near you, please visit www.oneblood.org or call 1.888.9Donate.
Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. To learn more about the importance of blood donation and how donors can target the power of their blood type visit oneblood.org.
Hours at the Nine Mile Donor Center, 1999 E. 9 Mile Road, Pensacola, are as follows:
●8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 23-27 and 30
●8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 28
●noon to 5 p.m. May 29
The Bloodmobile will also be available as follows:
●noon to 4 p.m. at Covenant Care, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola
●noon to 6 p.m. May 28 and 30 at Walmart Supercenter, 4965 US Highway 90, Milton
●noon to 6 p.m. May 29 at Walmart Supercenter, 2650 Creighton Road, Pensacola
For more dates, times and locations, or to book an appointment, go to
●noon to 6 p.m. May 28 and 30 at Walmart Supercenter, 4965 US Highway 90, Milton
●noon to 6 p.m. May 29 at Walmart Supercenter, 2650 Creighton Road, Pensacola
For more dates, times and locations, or to book an appointment, go to http://www.oneblood.org.
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: OneBlood states urgent need for O Negative, O Positive donations