Blood donations needed to avoid shortage

The American Red Cross encourages area residents to donate blood to help stave off an expected winter blood shortage in San Diego. The Red Cross asks people to make an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

The Red Cross has just a one-day inventory of Type O-negative blood in Southern California. O-negative blood is the universal blood type that is often used in emergencies because it can be given to anyone, especially if there is not time to determine the patient’s blood type. The organization also has just a one-day supply of Type B-negative blood. A five-day supply of each blood type is generally considered adequate.

Any healthy person aged 17 or older and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood.