Urgent Need for Type O Blood Donors

Published by Kirby Winn on Thursday, September 21, 2023 in News Releases

ImpactLife is facing an urgent need for Type O blood donors, with inventory levels for the "universal" O-negative and O-positive blood types now at less than a 1-day supply.

All eligible donors are urged to schedule an appointment by calling (800) 747-5401, scheduling online at www.bloodcenter.org, or via the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app). 

As of this morning (Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023), ImpactLife has less than a 1-day supply of both type O-negative and O-positive red blood cells. Type B-positive red blood cells are at a 3-day supply and platelet donations from all blood types are also greatly needed, as platelets must be used within just 7 days of collection. The blood center strives for a 5- to 7-day supply of all blood types, but recent blood donation and usage trends have led to critically low inventory levels for these blood types. 

“It's concerning when inventory levels this low," said Amanda Hess, Vice President, Donor Relations and Marketing. “We have an urgent need to fill appointment schedules and return to more stable inventory levels to continue providing for routine needs and to maintain surge capacity for any emergencies that may arise.”

Blood and platelet donations are used to support ongoing, routine use at local hospitals while a reserve is needed in case of a spike in demand due to large scale emergency or mass trauma. "It’s the blood that was already donated, tested, and ‘on the shelves’ ready to distribute to hospitals that makes the greatest difference in a crisis,” said Hess.

Type O-negative and O-positive red blood cells are known as "universal" blood types because they can be transfused to patients of all other blood types. These components are frequently used in emergencies because they can be transfused to patients before lab testing can take place to determine the patient's blood type.

ImpactLife Donor Rewards

To thank those who come to give blood with ImpactLife, the blood center is now providing all presenting donors with their choice of an electronic gift card or bonus points to use in the ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store. The featured store item will be a long-sleeve heather black t-shirt that reads "Blood Donors Rock." Value of the e-gift card depends on donation type and location:

• Whole blood donations: $10 gift card OR 500 bonus points
• Platelet, plasma, or double red cell donations: $25 gift card OR 1500 bonus points
• 1st or 2nd time platelet donation: $50 gift card OR 3000 bonus points
• First lifetime registration with ImpactLife (at donor center locations only): $50 gift card OR 3000 bonus points

For more information on ImpactLife Donor Rewards, see www.bloodcenter.org/now.

About ImpactLife
ImpactLife is a not-for-profit community organization providing blood services and emergency services providers to 124 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as resource sharing partners across the country. Services extend from southcentral Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri and from Danville, Illinois to Chariton, Iowa. (See a map of the ImpactLife service region.) ImpactLife operates 22 Donor Centers and holds approximately 5000 mobile blood drives annually to provide blood components needed for patient transfusions at hospitals throughout our region.

For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube.

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