The Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center is facing a significant shortage of Type O-negative blood and urgently appeals to donors to contribute as soon as possible. According to Vicki Smith, the center’s director of communication, development, and recruitment, Type O-negative is classified as a “universal donor” blood type, making it crucial for patients of all blood types.
The scarcity of O-negative blood arises from the center not yet conducting any blood drives in 2023. “We are just coming off the holidays, and a lot of our groups are hesitant to schedule blood drives for the first week of the year,” Smith explained on Thursday. Despite the lack of donations, the demand for O-negative blood at the 11 medical facilities served by the center remains steady.
While O-negative blood is not the rarest type, it is less common, with only 7% of the population classified as O-negative, according to the American Red Cross. In emergency situations where immediate blood type testing is impractical, O-negative blood is often utilized. “Medical personnel know that O-negative will not cause harm,” Smith noted. Additionally, hospitals must keep O-negative blood readily available for women during childbirth.
Currently, the medical facilities supported by the blood center have some O-negative blood in stock, but the center cannot replenish the units being used. “We are running at a deficit right now. We don’t have units to backfill O-negative units,” Smith stated.
The blood center operates on specific hours, being open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday; and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. “We need all types all the time, but we are desperate for O-negative,” Smith emphasized.
Given the urgency of the situation, the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center invites potential donors to visit during operating hours to help alleviate the critical shortage of Type O-negative blood and support their local medical community.
