IMMEDIATE NEED FOR BLOOD!
Type O and Type B donors urged to donate

ALBANY- Less than two weeks into the new year, the American Red Cross has a severe shortage of several blood types. Supplies of O negative, O positive, B negative, B positive and A negative blood are currently at less than a day's supply despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the past month.

These levels will drop further in the coming days without an immediate increase in blood donations. It is especially crucial for type O and type B blood donors to donate within the next few days. These are the most commonly used blood types and are needed to treat patients every single day. O negative blood can be used for all patients, but it is essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and pregnant women.

"There is a constant need for all blood types. At times like this when there is a severe shortage of the most widely used blood types on the shelves, it is felt across the region," said Randy Edwards, chief executive officerof the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region. "We need people to come out and donate."

The American Red Cross is encouraging everyone that can give to donate blood as soon as possible. There are never enough blood donations made in Georgia to provide adequate blood for the patients in this state. Oftentimes, blood must be brought in from other states to routinely meet the needs here. However, during the winter, donations drop and the region's supply of blood takes a huge dip to dangerously low levels.

Blood drives are being held across Georgia at various times and locations. Donors are asked to visit www. givebloodredcross.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. The Southern Region needs 1,200 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply more than 130 hospitals and health care facilities in the state. Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.

The Miller County blood drive that was held Tuesday, January 8, received 21 pints of blood and had 26 donors.