Seasonal blood shortage, need for o type

There is a desperate need for blood donors right now in Western New York. Unyts and the American Red Cross are asking to help with a current type-o shortage. 

O negative is the universal blood type. It’s given to patients in emergency situations when their blood type is unknown. 

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Red Cross Spokesman Jay Bondafede said they need to collect around 13,000 units of blood a day across the country. 

As much as 20% of blood drives happen at colleges and high schools. With school being out and people are on vacation, fewer people are making donating blood a priority. 

There were about 550 fewer blood drives across the country during the 4th of July week. The American Red Cross is working to make up for those numbers. 

You can schedule an appointment to donate through the Red Cross' wesbite.