With a recent surge in demand from hospitals, the New York Blood Center is in urgent need of type O+ and O- donors. The organization is seeing the lowest levels of donated blood since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, according to a release.
Type O+ is the most common blood type, while O- is the universal type used in emergencies. A critical shortage of both types poses serious concerns for the health care system, according to the blood center. The busy summer season, with increased travel and more accidents, has further strained the blood supply.
The blood center hosts blood drives regularly and urges all those eligible to donate. On the East End, there will be a drive at the Southampton Fire Department on Hampton Road on Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. and another next Thursday at the Riverhead Ciderhouse on Sound Avenue in Calverton from 1 to 7 p.m. Appointments can also be made at donation centers by calling 1-800-933-2566 or online to nybc.org.
