Regional O-negative blood supplies at critical level

[Padraig18]

TWO OPEN HEART SURGERIES BRING O NEGATIVE BLOOD SUPPLY DOWN TO CRITICAL LEVEL

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS -- Two open heart surgeries Feb. 8 brought the available supply of O negative blood down to eight bags for Feb. 9 in the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. A safe local supply is 260 bags or units.

The region covers Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Union counties in Illinois.

It is critical that Type O be available. Type O products are important because everyone can receive O negative and most patients can receive O positive.

Anthony Tinin of the American Red Cross said donations in surrounding areas may help during the shortage. When one region experiences a shortage, they ask other regions for blood. He described it as "neighbor helping neighbor." ....

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2005/02/10/local/doc420b60c95cbcd816369836.txt