Blood centers seeking more donors
Posted January 10, 2008 10:00 pm
Chicago blood banks, citing critically low levels of Rh-negative blood, are sending out a call for people with negative blood types who are able to donate immediately.
Officials at LifeSource, which runs 25 blood donation centers and mobile units in and around Chicago, say the area currently has only a one-day supply of Rh-negative blood -- significantly less than the 5- to 7-day supply that is considered a safe level.
People with O-negative and B-negative blood are being asked to donate with the most urgency.
Only 15 percent of the population has Rh-negative blood, but Rh-negative blood can be used in transfusions for both Rh-positive and Rh-negative patients. Rh-negative patients should only receive Rh-negative blood in transfusions.
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