The Central California Blood Center is urging residents to donate blood as supplies reach critically low levels, joining a nationwide appeal from the U.S. surgeon general amid a summer blood shortage.

The blood center said donations have declined in recent weeks as vacations, travel, and fewer school and community blood drives have reduced the number of donors, leaving blood centers across the country with critically low inventories.

Officials said all blood types are needed, but supplies of O-negative, A-negative, AB-negative blood, and AB plasma have fallen to less than a one-day inventory. O-negative blood is especially critical because it is the universal blood type used in trauma situations when there is not enough time to determine a patient’s blood type.

A Blood Donation Can Save a Life

The blood center said donations are needed to help hospitals maintain adequate supplies for emergency care, surgeries, cancer treatments, trauma patients, and babies in neonatal intensive care units. Without an increase in donations, hospitals could be forced to delay non-emergency procedures because of limited blood availability.

“Blood centers across the country are experiencing a significant summer shortage, and our region is feeling that impact as well,” said Christine Hayes, president and CEO of the Central California Blood Center. “We encourage both returning and first-time donors to make blood donation a priority in the coming days. Just one donation has the potential to save multiple lives and helps ensure hospitals throughout the Central Valley have the blood products they need to provide lifesaving care.”

Eligible donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Appointments, donation locations and hours are available at donateblood.org or by calling (559) 389-5433.

As a thank-you, donors who give blood by Sept. 7 will receive a free pint of Umpqua Ice Cream and a Brownie Baker cookie, a voucher for free admission to any APCAL Rock’n Ranch event in Madera, and entry into a drawing for Fresno Grizzlies tickets and other summer event prizes.

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