The harsh winter weather is making blood collection difficult in parts of the country and OneBlood, the local blood center, has been called in to help out.
OneBlood has already shipped blood products to various parts of the country impacted by the arctic blast and continues to be called upon to send additional shipments. Local donors are urged to please donate as soon as possible to help ensure our local supply remains strong so the blood center can continue to send blood for patients in areas impacted by the relentless winter storms.
While all blood types are needed, people with Rh negative type blood are in the highest demand. In addition, platelet and plasma donors are also greatly needed.
January is National Blood Donor Month and the perfect time to thank blood donors for saving lives, to encourage others to follow in their footsteps and to shine the spotlight on how blood donors can target the power of their blood type to save more lives.
There are eight different blood types and each one holds a unique power to save lives. OneBlood’s Target Your Type program gives donors the ability to learn the power of their blood type and how to donate the specific components of their blood that are most needed by area hospitals.
Every two seconds someone needs blood. Blood that is donated today will likely be transfused within two to three days. The turn-around is that fast, the need is constant.
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 www.oneblood.org <http://www.oneblood.org> .
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Blood donations needed; especially Rh negative types