LifeShare Blood Centers Reports Critical O Negative Shortage

Those with blood type O negative are encouraged to donate as soon as possible.

LifeShare is reporting a critical need for the blood type, since patient usage has increased substantially.

"At least five hospitals in our service area have patients currently using O negative blood. We do not have patient details, but do know that one patient is a young female going into surgery today and another is an elderly gentleman with internal bleeding," said LifeShare spokeswoman Tina Hooper in a news release. "Less than 7% of the population is O negative, making every available donor vital."

A decrease in blood donors during the wintry weather, combined with an increased patient need, has created the critical need for O negative donors. The supply of all other blood types is also being used daily and needs additional donors for replenishment.

Give blood at a LifeShare center or at a mobile blood drive in the area. Call your local center or go to www.lifeshare.org for hours and blood drive locations.

Local donation sites:

Bossier City, La.
1523 Doctors Dr.
318.742.4636
Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm M, W, F
11:00am-7:00pm Tu, Th

Shreveport, La.
8910 Linwood Ave.
318.673.1471
Hours:
8:00am-5:30pm M, W, F
8:00am-7:00pm Tu, Th
8:00am-3:00pm Sat

Texarkana, Texas
1321 College Dr.
Texarkana, TX
903.794.3173
Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm M, W, F
10:00am-5:30pm Tu, Th
8:00am-1:00pm Sat

Upcoming local blood drives:

March 18 from 12:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.
Minden Civic Center
520 Broadway St., Minden, La.

March 19 from 12:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.
Centenary College
2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport, La.

March 19 from 2:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.
Haughton Fire Department
224 West McKinley Ave., Haughton, La.

March 20 from 12:30p.m. to 5:30p.m.
Christus Coushatta Health Care Center
1635 Marvel Street, Coushatta, La.

March 20 from 12:30p.m. to 5:30p.m.
Willis-Knighton Bossier Medical Center
2400 Hospital Dr., Bossier City, La.