The American Red Cross has a shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors, as well as eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types, to give now to ensure lifesaving patient care isn’t impacted.

Type O blood is the most in-demand blood type, helping patients facing life-threatening conditions and emergencies every day. Type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what emergency room personnel reach for when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Type O positive blood is also especially needed because it is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

The Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types, and blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Recent snowstorms and severe weather in many parts of the country have forced hundreds of blood drive cancellations, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

For information, visit redcrossblood.org or call (800)733-2767.