Local News in Brief : Type ‘O’ Blood Donations Sought
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The American Red Cross declared an emergency shortage Tuesday of type “O” blood in Los Angeles and Orange counties and asked the public to increase donations.
The shortage, brought on by high demand and sluggish blood donations over the Labor Day weekend, could force hospitals to postpone elective surgeries and some forms of medical treatment, Red Cross spokeswoman Cheryle Babbitt said.
The Red Cross declared the emergency shortage after regional supplies of O positive blood stood at 39% of desired levels and O negative was at 42%, said Dr. Carroll Spurling, executive director of Red Cross Blood Services for the two counties.
Hospitals were notified that the Red Cross may not be able to supply all of the type O blood they desire, Babbitt said.
Hospitals typically use type O blood more than any other type of blood.
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