Flu Impacting Blood Donations; Healthy People Urged To Donate Now

January 13, 2015

Officials say the flu is staring to impact the local blood supply.

The blood center is experiencing fewer donors at various organizations that hold blood drives and are told many of the people who usually donate are out sick with the flu.

Blood donors who are battling the influenza virus are not able to donate until they are well.  The blood center is urging all blood donors who are healthy to please donate now while they are feeling well.

While all blood types are needed, there is an increased need for O Negative type blood. Anyone with O Negative blood is encouraged to donate as soon as they can.  O Negative is the universal blood type which means it can be given to any patient regardless of the recipients’ blood type. Trauma patient, cancer patients and premature babies are primary recipients of O Negative blood.

Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh 110 pounds can donate blood. All blood donors will receive a wellness checkup of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and a cholesterol screening.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News