Critical need for Type O Blood, LifeSouth says

LifeSouth has critical need for Type O (positive and negative) blood. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are facing a critical need for Type O donors.

“If you have Type O blood and have never been a blood donor, you may not know what kind of special impact you can have,” Victoria Bell said. Bell works as LifeSouth’s District Community Development Coordinator.

“In fact, LifeSouth is in critical need of Type O blood right now. Type O- (negative) is especially needed,” Bell said. “This announcement is not just for O-, but O+ as well.”

Type O- is the universal blood type, which means this blood type can help anyone in need of a transfusion. However, only about 9 percent of the population has O- blood. “That percentage is so small,” Bell said, “so you can only imagine why the need is so great.”

Many regular donors of O- (negative) blood already know they have the blood type that is needed for emergencies. “They’re called ‘universal donors’ because they can help anyone in need of a transfusion. The challenge is they’re in short supply,” Bell said.

Bell urges any resident with Type O blood and who has never donated in the past to stop by a LifeSouth bloodmobile or donor center today. “If you have donated in the past, but it has been a while, please come back. We critically need your special help today,” she said.

“If you don’t know your blood type, stop by and donate, and we will be able to let you know your type. Everybody is somebody’s type, and you can help someone in need,” Bell said.

Donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors must present a photo ID.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers’ Madison office is located at 8190 Madison Blvd. For more information about LifeSouth, call 1-888-795-2707, extension 55003, email vlbell@lifesouth.org or visit lifesouth.org.