Posted on January 19, 2007 at 12:05 p.m.

WHAT:

Supplies of O-Negative blood are in short supply at UAB Hospital – the state’s only adult Level 1 trauma center. All blood types are needed by area hospitals as blood supplies are traditionally low in Jan. The recent severe winter storms across the mid-west have further contributed to the shortfall, as states that often provide surplus blood to Alabama have been unable to do so.

UAB Hospital and local blood suppliers urge news outlets to encourage their readers and audiences to donate blood during this period of shortage. While the Type O-Negative shortage is most acute, all blood types are needed.

Type-O blood, often referred to as the “universal” blood type, is used to treat critically injured trauma patients, since most people can accept Type O without an adverse reaction. A single trauma patient can easily use 20 units of blood or more, reducing available blood supplies for other critically injured patients.

UAB’s blood bank director, Dr. Marisa Marques, will be available at 2p.m. today for interviews on the blood supply.