Red Cross has emergency blood shortage

American Red Cross officials made an emergency plea Friday for blood donations in Georgia, saying a typical summer shortage of universal Type O blood is more critical than ever.

“We’ve had a summer beyond the norm,” said Grady Braziel, who monitors blood supply for the Southeast Division of the American Red Cross.

August donations have been especially anemic, Braziel said.

The Red Cross needs to collect 1,200 units daily. Summer months usually drop to 900. In the last few days, the Red Cross has been lucky to get 700.

That means Georgia is having to import blood from other states and dip into the Red Cross’s national inventory.

“We’re only as good as today’s collection,” Braziel said. “We need 1,500 units a day to make up the deficit.”

Type O blood is compatible with every blood type and is used often for a variety of patients suffering from severe trauma to cancer.

The Red Cross is extending normal operating hours in hopes of attracting more donors. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more.

Call 1-800-448-3543 or visitwww.redcrossblood.org