Critical Need for O- Blood at Stanford Blood Center

January 17, 2019
Attention News Desk: Press Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Merina | 650-966-4860
vmerina@stanford.edu

STANFORD, Calif. — Area residents are being asked to donate O- blood at Stanford Blood Center (SBC) to meet an immediate and ongoing need for O- blood products.

Stanford Blood Center’s partner hospitals have seen a significant increase in the number of O- blood products required to support patients. “Last week alone, partner hospitals used over 950 units of red blood cells,” says SBC spokesperson, Vanessa Merina. “Because blood donation appointments drop significantly in winter due to illness and holiday travel, recovering from such high usage can be difficult during this time of year.”

Getting enough O- blood can be particularly challenging. Only about 6-7% of the population nationwide has this type, which creates a near-constant need. O- donors are universal donors, (meaning anyone can receive O- blood no matter their type,) and O- is often used for trauma and pediatric patients, so it’s imperative that O- donors make an appointment if they can.

“Even if you don’t know your blood type, please come in to donate. All blood types are always welcome and needed,” says Merina.

Donors should be in good health with no cold or flu symptoms. They should eat well (preferably an iron-rich meal) prior to donation, drink fluids and present a photo ID at the time of donation.

To schedule an appointment at one of our donor centers or mobile drives, please visit sbcdonor.org or call 888-723-7831.

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Stanford Blood Center was created at the Stanford University School of Medicine in 1978 to meet the complex transfusion needs of Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, as well as provide tailored blood products and clinical trial services for school researchers. Today the center provides blood products to four local hospitals and is a recognized leader in the field of transfusion medicine. More information is available at stanfordbloodcenter.org.