Blood shortage in tri-state looms amid decline in donors, Red Cross says
All blood types are needed, but there is an urgent call for donors with Type O blood.
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American Red Cross officials say the blood supply in the U.S. has dipped amid of shortage of donors.
A shortage in blood can interfere with hospital care, from surgeries to emergencies.
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"Imagine a terrible, traumatic accident and somebody is bleeding, and they come into the emergency room. That blood is crucial to save their life, acutely," says Dr. Barry Boyd of Greenwich Hospital.
Officials say a blood shortage looms in the tri-state area due to a decrease in donor turnout. The Red Cross says the organization is having issues increasing the supply. The situation also becomes worse in the summer and early fall as people who normally donate do not because they are on vacation and not following their usual routines.
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All blood types are needed, but there is an urgent call for donors with Type O blood.
RELATED: New York Blood Center declares blood emergency following 30% drop in donations
"It used to be thought that Type O negative was the only blood type that could be given to people in an emergency, but we actually know that even O positive can be given safely to about 80% of the population who needs blood," says Dr. Courtney Lawrence of the American Red Cross.
To encourage people to donate, the Red Cross has created a promo with the company Goodr to give away sunglasses through July 14.
Blood drives are happening nearly every day in the tri-state through the Red Cross or the New York Blood Center.
