The American Red Cross is issuing a call to action for people to donate blood, especially those with type O negative. A serious crash involving a tractor trailer and a church van in Transylvania County Wednesday night has depleted the supply of O negative blood in the Asheville area, and the Red Cross are now using blood supplies from areas across the region.
WLOS-TV reports 15 people were taken to area hospitals, including both drivers and 13 passengers. Many of the patients were children.
While the American Red Cross is using resources to send units of blood to Asheville from other parts of the state, this could further impact supplies region wide as donations have already been lagging during the holiday season.
O negative blood is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations like this one Wednesday night.
Please take time out in the next few weeks during the holiday season to donate blood at one of the following locations:
• Dec, 28, 1:30-5:30 p.m., J.F. Hurley YMCA, 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. Sign up for an appointment at the front desk or call Ann Coggin at 704-636-0111 or 704-636-3331. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome.
• Jan. 6, 1:30-6 p.m., Rowan County Masonic Lodges’ Annual Blood Drive at the Salisbury Masonic Lodge, 401 N. Fulton St. For an appointment, please call the Red Cross office at 704-633-3854. Walk-ins welcome.
• Jan. 6, 2-6:30 p.m., Christian Terry’s Bloodstock Blood Drive at Autumn Care, 1505 Bringle Ferry Road. For an appointment, Contact Christian Terry at 704-754-0663 or call Autumn Care at 704-637-5885
• Jan. 6, 3:30-8 p.m., West Rowan Middle School, 5925 Statesville Blvd. For an appointment, please contact Karen Bostic or call the school office 704-633-4775. Walk-ins welcome.
• Jan. 9, noon-4:30 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Drive, EH Dole Chapter, 1930 Jake Alexander Blvd. W. For an appointment, please call the Red Cross office at 704-633-3854.
• Jan. 9, 2-6:30 p.m., Abbie Wilson’s Bloodstock Blood Drive, Piedmont Research Station, 8350 Sherrills Ford Road. For an appointment, please contact Abbie Wilson 704-798-9665
The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet the needs of patients.
Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent in North Carolina, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
Blood Drive schedule subject to change. Please call the office at 704-633-3854 for updated information or to find out about more upcoming drives in your area.