Red Cross facing ‘severe’ shortage of Type O blood

FARMINGTON — The American Red Cross has a severe shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors – as well as eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types – to give now to ensure lifesaving patient care isn’t impacted this winter.

Type O blood is the most in-demand blood type, helping patients facing life-threatening conditions and emergencies every day. Type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what emergency room personnel reach for when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type. Type O positive blood is also especially needed because it is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Recent snowstorms and severe weather in many parts of the country have forced hundreds of blood drive cancellations, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

Individuals of all blood types – especially type O – are asked to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767).

To celebrate the final season of Game of Thrones, HBO and the Red Cross have partnered to ask fans and blood donors to Bleed #ForTheThrone this March. This is the largest blood donation promotional effort by an entertainment company in Red Cross history – with six days of coordinated giving March 7-12 from fans and blood donors at blood drives in 43 states across the U.S., including an immersive blood drive experience at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

As part of the partnership, fans who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through March 17 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five trips to the season 8 world premiere of Game of Thrones. The trip includes travel for two, up to two nights hotel accommodations and a $250 gift card for expenses. Terms and conditions apply and are available at RedCrossBlood.org/HBOGameofThrones.*

Additionally, those who come to donate March 7-12 will also receive exclusive Game of Thrones swag including a Tshirt, stickers to unlock a unique Snapchat filter and other items, while supplies last.

Blood drives, Litchfield County”

Cornwall: March 14, 1 p.m. 6 p.m., United Church of Christ Congregational, 8 Bolton Hill Road

Goshen: March 15, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Goshen Fire Dept, 181 Sharon Turnpike

Harwinton: March 20, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Harwinton Town Hall, 100 Bentley Drive

New Hartford: March 12, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., South End Volunteer Fire, 20 Antolini Road, Route 219 and 202

Thomaston: March 11, 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., St. Peter's Trinity Church, 160 Main St.

Torrington: March 25, 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 540 Litchfield St.

Washington Depot: March 15, 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Washington Depot fire House, 109 Bee Brook Road