Type O blood needed, supply at two-year low
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. While blood donors are always needed, those with type O blood are especially in need now.
Vitalant, a nonprofit blood services provider, recently shared its supply of type O blood has dropped to a two-year low.
Mandi Semple, a communications manager with Vitalant, said the organization aims to keep a supply of blood that can last for four days. However, since May, Vitalant’s stock of type O blood has dropped to a two-day supply.
Type O blood is especially important to hospitals and blood banks because more people can receive it.
Anyone can receive type O negative blood; while anyone with a positive blood type, which is 85% of the U.S. population, can use type O positive blood, according to Semple.
Semple said type O blood is especially valuable in emergencies, during which there is no time to determine someone’s blood type.
However, while type O is especially valuable, all blood types are valuable all the time, she said.
Summer is almost always a difficult time for blood banks, according to Semple. She said in the summer, there are fewer donors because more people are traveling and may not have time to donate. In addition, schools and colleges, where Vitalant holds many blood drives, do not operate in the summer.
While the blood supply is lower, the demand for blood is higher in the summer because there are more traumas — such as car accidents — that require blood.
America’s 250th birthday compounded the regular summer risks because many people traveled and celebrated Independence Day, which led to lower donor turnout over the holiday weekend.
In addition, blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled for long periods. Red blood cells, which carry oxygen, last for only 42 days; while platelets, which stop bleeding, must be used within five days.
If you are interested in donating blood, you can make an appointment on Vitalant’s website for a blood drive or at a permanent donation center, one of which is in Cranberry Township. Anyone over 16 years old who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health may donate.
Donating blood is an easy process that takes about one hour from start to finish. The process includes a brief medical screening and a health questionnaire. The donation process takes between 8 to 10 minutes, according to Semple.
The pain from donating is minimal. Most first-time donors describe it as a brief pinch or sting, similar to getting a vaccine, according to Vitalant’s website.
After donating, donors spend between five and 15 minutes in the refreshment area, where they can enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks before going home.
Semple said feeling intimidated by the process is natural, but blood donation is a simple way to save multiple lives at once.
In addition to saving lives, donors can also receive gifts for their donation. All donors who donate with Vitalant by Saturday can receive their choice of T-shirt while supplies last. Those who schedule their appointment using promotional code JULYGIFT-2026-6 will receive a $20 gift card.
In addition, starting Thursday and ending Aug. 8, all Vitalant donors will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a car valued at up to $30,000.
