CRITICALLY LOW: NY Blood Center issues urgent call for Type O blood donations

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Summer months are always a challenging time for the blood supply, but with the inventory at a lower level than at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Blood Center has issued an urgent call for donations of Type O blood.

“We are appealing to our community to step up and donate blood, especially those who are type O,” Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at NYBC, said. “Following the recent surge in blood usage, our local inventory is critically low, and we need immediate support to ensure that every patient receives the lifesaving care they need.”

The shortage is impacting local hospitals as part of a crippling national trend, with Type O shortages being reported across the country.

Exacerbating the existent problem is the added difficulty of maintaining the blood supply in the summer months. Seasonal travel, school breaks and a spike in traumatic accidents lead to increased usage.

In the past several days, the region has seen seven massive transfusion protocols (MTPs), which require the administration of 10 or more units of blood to a patient within 24 hours. The NYBC said that MTPs can often require 50 or more blood products per patient.

Type O- is the universal blood type and is commonly needed in emergency settings, and Type O+ is the most common blood type, with 40% of the United State population sharing it.

“A shortage of both types, both locally and nationally, poses serious concerns for our healthcare system,” the NYBC said.

The NYBC hosts daily blood drives and operates 19 area donor centers, and donors can give every 56 days.

To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, blood donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.com .