United Blood Services is calling for all rare blood types to donate in an effort to overcome the organization’s low surplus. The group needs primarily Type O-Negative and Type A-Negative, due to high demand.
Type O-Negative is considered to be “universal” blood, but only about seven percent of the population pumps it through their veins. Type O-Negative is used mostly in emergency rooms when there’s no time to test a patient’s blood type since Type O-Negative can be universally received.
The cousin of sorts of Type O-Negative is Type A-Negative, which works amicably with people who are either Type A or Type B, both negative and positive. A mere six percent of the population carries that blood type.
Despite the low availability of these rare blood types, many people go through life not knowing their own type.
“We’ve noticed that there is a high usage of these rare blood types, and even though we have had great success with our blood drives at high schools and colleges, we are having trouble keeping our supplies intact,” said Scott Edward, United Blood Services’ community relations director.
Anyone interested in donating blood can do so at two nearby locations: Santa Maria at 1770 South Broadway or San Luis Obispo at 4119 Broad St. The two locations post their hours and upcoming blood drives at blood4life.org. Hopeful donors should call for an appointment at 543-4290, but walk-ins are allowed.
Donors must be older than 16 years and in good health. Donors younger than 22 years old must meet other height and weight requirements.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 8-15, 2010.