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Blood Bank In Need Of Donors For Summer

The Community Blood Bank is experiencing a critical blood shortage. As the blood supplier of UPMC Chautauqua hospital, CCB is asking the community to give generously at its next blood drive in Jamestown.

The event will take place at classrooms 2 and 4 at UPMC Chautauqua at 207 Foote Ave. in Jamestown on Tuesday from noon-5 p.m.

CCB Community Relations Specialist Jaclyn Seymour said this lack of supply in the summer months is very common. However, this is also the time of year when Community Blood Bank reaches out to the public monthly. This outreach is influenced by organizations such as colleges and high schools having less activity in the summer.

“We use 30 percent of our blood supply in the summer and it is difficult to find donors this time of the year,” Seymour said.

Part of the problem, Seymour said, is that some community members are often not in the community when blood is desperately needed.

“School is out and a lot of people are on vacation,” Seymour said. “It is critical to keep the number of donors up.”

Summer is often when trauma treatments are most frequent at hospitals. “While the summer months are something we all look forward to, it is also the busy trauma season for local hospitals,” Seymour said.

Currently, the blood types that are in most demand by CCB are A-negative, O-positive and O-negative. Seymour also said that O-negative is in high demand because it is universal and can be used in any transfusions regardless of blood type.

According to the American Red Cross, O-negative blood can be used in transfusions for any blood type, and is often in short supply and high demand by hospitals.

“This is pretty common,” Seymour said. “With every type and usage there is a need for a supply.”

Seymour said anyone who wants to donate blood should eat a good meal the night before and stay hydrated in the hours prior to donation. At least 18 ounces of water is recommended by CBB.

Individuals who are eligible for donation can give blood 56 days after their previous donation and must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent). They must weight at least 110 pounds and have had no tattoo applications for a year. In addition, donors must be in good general health and not have the flu or a cold.

When donating individuals must have a valid photo ID.

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