There is a critical shortage of Type O negative blood across Canada.
Canadian Blood Services says its inventory has dropped below acceptable levels.
The shortage is nation-wide and there’s a high demand for O-negative because it’s the only type compatible with all other blood types.
Spokesperson Peter MacDonald says while only 7% of Canadians share this blood type, that small percentage has a huge impact.
“O Negatives are the universal donor. So in any type of urgent situation in a hospital setting where there’s not an opportunity to cross-match and find a person’s blood type, any recipient can receive O Negative blood.”
MacDonald says often hospitals don’t have the time to test a person’s blood especially if they’ve been a victim of serious trauma.
That’s why they give the universal blood Type O Negative.
Victims of vehicle crashes can require 50 units of blood, while cancer patients may need eight units a week.
MacDonald is putting out a call for local donations.
CBS no longer holds mobile clinics in Northwestern Ontario, so the nearest location to donate is Winnipeg.
For more information, visit https://www.blood.ca/en
