TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has issued an emergency plea for blood.
Officials are warning that winter weather and a rise in illness have significantly disrupted donations, resulting in less than a day’s supply of critical blood types for patients in local hospitals.
Although all blood types are needed, O-negative, the universal blood donor type, is in lowest supply.
Donating takes about an hour and all you need is a photo ID.
“It’s such a great way to give back to another person. You know we collect your blood at the blood drive, take it back to our labs, and within a matter of days it’s in another persons’ body helping them heal. And I think many people are forgetting that, that you can’t manufacture it and it has to come from us,” said Senior Account Representative Shelly Shearer.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (317)916-5150 or Visit Versiti.org to find a donor center or community blood drive in your area. Walk-in donors are also welcome.
