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The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center in Rochester, Minnesota, urgently needs donations of Type O-positive and Type O-negative blood.
"We are continuing to suffer a national blood shortage. As a result, blood products are still difficult to bring in from external sources to supplement our local collection capabilities," says Camille van Buskirk, M.D., medical director of the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program. "Despite these dire blood product shortages, the constant need for blood products for our patients remains."
Blood donations are a lifesaving blood product needed to help patients undergo surgeries or treat medical problems, such as cancer, bleeding disorders, liver damage, burns and severe bacterial infections.
"One whole blood donation can be made into three different products to go to three patients. A single whole blood donation can go a long way in providing the lifesaving blood that is needed for patient care. We greatly appreciate the generous and kind support of our Rochester community in helping us to ensure those blood products are available for a loved one or other patients in need," Dr. van Buskirk says.
In emergency situations, Type O-negative blood can be given to anyone because it has the least serious reactions for most people who receive it.
If a person has donated within the past 12 weeks, that donor cannot give blood again. This 12-week break allows the body to maintain healthy iron levels.
To find out if you are eligible to give blood and find out where you can donate, check the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program website. Be sure to set up an appointment before you plan to donate blood.
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