Nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant is facing a critical shortage of type O blood and urges all donors, especially those with type O, to make an appointment now for the days ahead. Since May, the type O blood supply has decreased and recently dropped to a two-year low. Thousands of blood donation appointments across Montana and Northern Wyoming still need to be filled to boost the blood supply.

Why Type O blood is critical

Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs a transfusion and O blood is the most transfused blood type. It is especially lifesaving in emergencies, when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type. O-negative can help any patient. O-positive can help anyone with a positive blood type.

“More than half of the blood supply is type O blood because it can be transfused to any blood type. Additionally, patients with type O-positive blood, 39% of the population, can only receive type O,” Vitalant Area Vice President Brittany Sigel said. “When there’s a shortage, doctors may have to decide who can receive it immediately and who can wait, so an adequate supply of all blood types is essential to ensure every patient gets the blood they need, especially when seconds count.”

Fewer donors during the July fourth holiday

America’s 250th birthday compounded an already low blood supply as travel and holiday-related activities affected donor turnout. AAA estimated another record for the Independence Day holiday travel week, and Vitalant collected several thousand fewer blood donations during that time. 

How to help

Most people are eligible to donate blood, and it only takes an hour to make a lifesaving difference. Blood donors of all types, especially those with type O, and platelet donors, are urged to make an appointment at one of Vitalant’s air-conditioned donation centers or community-hosted blood drives by visiting vitalant.org, downloading and using the Vitalant app, or calling 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).