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Regional Blood Supply Deals with Annual Pre-Holiday Shortage

Nurse taking blood pressure from a patient
American Red Cross
/
American Red Cross

Recently, a southern Illinois hospital ran out of blood from the universal donor supply of O-negative.

Another area hospital stepped in to provide some back-up units until the American Red Cross could provide some O-negative blood.
Regional Red Cross spokesperson Joe Zydlo says they're starting to see some drops in the blood supply and it will probably get worse as we get closer to Thanksgiving.

"That's really a key time for us. We ask people right now, before Thanksgiving and before you get into December and the other holidays that month, to go ahead and donate blood, make that donation, then you don't have to worry about it again until January."

Zydlo says the blood supply usually suffers because people aren't thinking about donating during this busy time of year. He says there is a critical need for O-blood, the universal donor type.

Click here for information on donor eligibility and local blood drives.

As a news producer and news anchor on All Things Considered, Brad provides the listeners with a recap of the day's top local and state news as well as breaking news at any given time. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
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