Red Cross says supplies of Type O blood are running short

The American Red Cross says it has a critical shortage of Type O blood and is urging donors with that type to give blood or platelets.

According to a release sent Monday, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of Type O blood available for patient emergencies and medical treatments.

“Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type,” the release said. “While just 7 percent of the U.S. population has Type O negative blood, it can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what hospital staff reach for during emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.”

The Red Cross states that it must collect nearly 13,000 blood donations and more than 2,600 platelet donations every day for patients who rely on blood to survive.

At least one area surgeon confirmed that an adequate blood supply is crucial.

“(Blood shortages) affect surgeons more than almost any other kind of doctor,” said Dr. Jeffrey Nicastro, network chair of surgery for Nuvance Health, which includes Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk and Sharon Hospitals, as well as several hospitals in New York.

Nicastro said most surgeries involve some kind of blood loss, and some require transfusion. Though he said it’s rare that a doctor can’t get the blood needed for an emergency surgery — even during a shortage — it has happened.

“It can, occasionally be a lifethreatening situation,” Nicastro said.

Donors of all types are needed. To make an appoint, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 800-7332767, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health may be eligible to donate blood. Donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Santiago Mejia / Special to the San Francisco Chronicle The American Red Cross is calling for donations of Type O blood, due to a critical shortage of that type.