Vitalant reports ’emergency’ shortage of Type O blood donations in California

(FOX40.COM) — A nonprofit is calling on all blood donors to give following a low donor turnout this summer.

Vitalant, a nonprofit blood services provider, said it’s facing an “emergency shortage” of type O blood and the supply of it has dropped to an 18-month low. Type O is considered to be critical for patients due to its universal use in life-or-death situations, Vitalant said.

“O-negative can be transfused to patients of any blood type and is what emergency room doctors reach for when every second counts,” Vitalant said in a press release. “O-positive can support anyone with a positive blood type. Approximately 46% of the population has type O blood to give and help overcome the shortage.”

The nonprofit said this summer’s low donor turnout included a 30% downfall in donations during the Fourth of July holiday week. Vitalant alludes to the extreme summer heat and summer vacations as likely contributions to low donor turnout during the summer, which is considered “trauma season” due to the potential increase in outdoor-related injuries.

“No doctor should have to face the impossible choice of which patient receives the blood they need and who must wait,” Vitalant Chief Medical and Scientific Officer Ralph Vassallo said in a statement. “There isn’t anything that can substitute for lifesaving blood donations from generous donors. Donors of all blood types continue to be urgently needed.”

Where to donate

Those interested in donating blood can make an appointment at a Vitalant location or by visiting any of the nonprofit’s blood drives.

Here are Vitalant’s locations in the Sacramento area:

•Sacramento: 1608 O Street
•Sacramento: 3099 Fair Oaks Boulevard
•Roseville: 10529 Fairway Drive, Suite 100
•Elk Grove: 9267 Laguna Springs Drive, Suite 100
•Fair Oaks: 11713 Fair Oaks Boulevard
•Folsom: 150 Natoma Station Drive, Suite 500
•Placerville: 4278 Golden Center Drive, Suit 110
•Yuba City: 1290 Stabler Lane, Suite 830
•Davis: 1801 Hanover Drive, Suite A

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.