FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2007

Blood Supply Remains Near 900 Pints Low; Types O & A Especially Needed

DAYTON, OH — (April 24, 2007) Community Blood Center (CBC) is facing a critical shortage of type O blood with less than a day’s supply of type O+ on blood center shelves.  Monday, CBC collected 196 usable pints of blood significantly short of the daily goal to collect 350 pints.  Near record blood usage over the weekend made an existing shortage worse, especially due to traumas that required large usage of type O. Type A is also well below ideal levels.

At this time, the general public is asked to donate at one of our donor centers in Dayton, Middletown, Springfield, West Chester and Richmond, IN or at one of our community blood drives.  For more information, visit: www.givingblood.org.

“While this is not an emergency appeal for donors, the need is critical and help is needed now to avoid a full emergency,” stated Jodi Minneman, chief operating officer of blood services.  “Blood shortages usually start with type O.  Type O- (negative) is the universal donor type which means patients with any blood type can receive it.  Type O+ (positive) is the most common blood type.  About half of area transfusions come from the type O group.”

Please note: CBC no longer requires donors to provide their social security number when they register to donate.  Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name.  Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card.  Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good physical health.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically.  Individuals with eligibility questions are invited to email canidonate@cbccts.org or call 1-800-388-GIVE. 

Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services™, an independent, not-for-profit organization, is registered to ISO 9001:2000.  Community Blood Center provides blood products to 25 hospitals in the Miami (Ohio) and Whitewater (Indiana) Valleys.  For more information about Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services™, visit www.givingblood.org.

Copyright 2005 Community Blood Center