O Blood Type Running Low

By Tiffany St. Martin, The Bradenton Herald, Fla.

Feb. 23–O-positive and O-negative blood types, the most common, are running at a one- to two-day supply in the Tampa Bay area.

The need for all blood types increases during the first quarter of every year because the area population skyrockets, and the cold and flu season that’s upon us also increases the need, says Dan Eberts, director of marketing and communications for Florida Blood Services. FBS serves 38 hospitals in four counties, including Manatee.

Suncoast Communities Blood Bank, which serves residents of Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, also is in need of O-positive and -negative blood.

FBS needs 750 blood donations a day, Eberts says, and it’s averaging between 600 and 800 a day now.

Those interested in donating blood must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health. There are two FBS donation centers in Manatee County:

The location at 216 Manatee Ave. E. can be reached at 746-7195, and the 8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. location can be reached at 907-0806.

Walk-ins are welcomed, but appointments are encouraged.

Call (800) 68-BLOOD or visit www.fbsblood.org [http://www.fbsblood.org] for more information.

To donate to Suncoast Communities Blood Bank, call (866) 954-1600, ext. 240, or visit www.scbb.org [http://www.scbb.org] for locations.

—–

Copyright (c) 2006, The Bradenton Herald, Fla.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.