BLOOD DONORS NEEDED TODAY

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency appeal for blood donors. Red Cross officials said the current supply cannot meet the blood needs of the 120 regional hospitals.

In the Missouri/Illinois Blood Services Region supplies are at an emergency level. The Red Cross supply of type O is at only 26 percent, type B is at 29 percent and type A is at 60 percent.

Donors can give blood today at the Holiday Inn from 2-7 p.m.

"It is extremely urgent that donors respond by giving blood this week," said Neil Bassett, Red Cross principal officer. "Hospital blood supplies have steadily decreased and may not be able to meet patients' emergency needs. If more people do not give, surgeries will be postponed or canceled."

The cold weather in combination with the holiday weekend has led to extremely low donor turnout at area blood drives.

"Monday, only 60 percent of the donors scheduled gave blood," said Bassett. "We need to collect about 1,000 units a day and Monday only 574 people donated."

The local blood supply situation is especially critical because blood supplies on a national level are also extremely low. During critical times, some Red Cross regions may receive blood from others to fill emergency needs.

"American Red Cross supplies half the blood used across the country. At the national level, all blood types are currently at 80 percent, with type O at only 50 percent," Bassett said. "That means that there isn't any extra blood anywhere else in the country to help patients in our area."