St. Louis, Mo., March 24, 2005—The American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region is making a special request for O negative blood donors. The recent changes in weather have a number of people under the weather causing even regular donors to cancel appointments.

O negative is the most critically needed blood type right now, as the O negative supply is less than a half day. The forecast through the holiday weekend is for the supply to fall even lower! O negative donors are considered universal because their blood can be given to anyone, regardless of blood type. It’s preferable that patients receive their own blood type, which is why it’s important for everyone to give blood. However, when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type, O negative is used.

"Every blood type is needed, but O negative is at a crucial point right now,” said David Chumley, Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross. “This is a very busy time of year with Spring Break starting for most students. You add a major holiday on top of that and you have people thinking about everything EXCEPT giving blood. Critical injuries and traumas are risky enough without the added fear of a low supply of O negative blood. A busy travel weekend magnifies the need to have O Negative blood on hand,” adds Chumley.

To find a donation opportunity near you, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.americanredcrossblood.org.

Together, we can save a life.