The American Red Cross says it’s  facing a looming shortage of the blood types most needed by patients and is calling on eligible donors with O negative, B negative and A negative blood to give now to prevent an emergency situation. Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Overall blood donations in the Red Cross Midwest Blood Services Region have been approximately 930 fewer pints per month in June and July this year than the previous 10 months of the year. When demand for the most needed types begins to outpace donations, the Red Cross alerts donors to help restock the shelves.

Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types B negative and A negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients. Eligible donors are encouraged to donate double red cells – a process where two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor – where available.

Individuals who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again.

Some upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities include:

Audubon County: Audubon, Aug. 12: noon to 6 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Center

Cass County: Griswold, Aug. 13: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Central Church of Christ

Pottawattamie County:

Council Bluffs…
Aug. 5: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Warren Distribution, 2850 River Road
Aug. 7: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Senior Center, 714 South Main Street
Aug. 9: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Community of Christ, 140 Kanesville Blvd

Macedonia…Aug. 5: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Dewitt Community Building

Shelby…Aug. 15: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Shelby Community Building, 500 E. St.