Red Cross looking for type-O blood donors

The American Red Cross is experiencing a shortage of type O-negative blood and is asking for donors.

This blood type is present in only 7 percent of the U.S. population, but it is important in trauma situations when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type, according to information from the Red Cross.

Eligible donors are asked to make whole blood or double red-cell donations. For the latter, two units of red blood cells are collected, and most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor.

To schedule a donation, call (800) 733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.