Critical Need for O-Negative, AB-Negative and B-Negative Blood Donations at Stanford Blood Center

January 22, 2016
Attention News Desk: Press Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Loren Magaña 650-529-5828
lmagana@stanford.edu

STANFORD, Calif.− Due to a sudden shortage of blood types O-Negative, AB-Negative and B-Negative Bay Area residents are being asked to donate at Stanford Blood Center as soon as possible this week to ensure local patient needs are met.

A liver transplant surgery, pediatric heart surgery and pediatric leukemia treatments are examples of recent patient usage, and combined with fewer blood donations this time of year, have created a perfect storm that has led to a severe blood shortage. It is vital that the blood inventory be replenished to maintain a steady supply at all times.

“We’ve put the call out to our current donors, and now we’re appealing to others in the community for their help,” said Loren Magaña, Stanford Blood Center spokesperson. “Patient usage of these blood types has reached a critical point so we’re asking the public to please donate this week.”

Donors should be in good health with no cold or flu symptoms. They must eat well prior to donation, drink fluids and present their photo identification at the time of donation. The process only takes about an hour. Please call 888-723-7831 today, to make an appointment to donate this week.

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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 4 local hospitals and is a recognized leader in the field of transfusion medicine. More information is available at stanfordbloodcenter.org.