Atlanta ice: Frigid temperatures strain blood supplies

By Ty Tagami

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The American Red Cross was still warning Monday of a critical shortage of two blood types in the South as a result of the holidays and inclement weather.

Dangerous, icy conditions paired with frigid temperatures have caused people to stay home. The organization needs 1,200 donors a day to keep up with demand in the South, and first warned late Sunday that the supply of blood types O negative and B negative had "drastically decreased."

Supplies were still low Monday, and are expected to diminish during the week as hospitals undertake pre-scheduled, elective surgeries.

"We hope we'll rebuild by the end of the week, but we can't do that without more donors," said April Phillips, a spokesperson for the Southern Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross.

Supplies of O negative are low because it can be given to anyone but only a tenth of the population can donate it, Phillips said.

B negative supplies are strained because of a similar supply-demand ratio, particularly in the South with its relatively high minority population. Blacks, Hispanics and Asians are more likely than the general population to need B negative blood, she said.

To give blood, contact the Red Cross by calling 800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org.