KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceHelp! Type O-Negative Blood Needed Right Now

Help! Type O-Negative Blood Needed Right Now

Do you have type O-negative blood? Your help is needed right away.

The Central California Blood Center says its supply of O-negative blood has dropped to a critical level -- just 14% of needed inventory.

"Recent storms have caused emergency room usage to climb," said Dean Eller, President and CEO of the Central California Blood Center. "Therefore, we are asking new and returning donors to take an hour and help save someone's life."

Even if you don't have O-negative blood, officials are asking anyone who can donate to please do so. O-negative is the universal blood type which can be given to all patients in emergency situations.

Blood donation takes less than one hour to complete. Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 years old with written parental consent). Photo ID and Social Security number are required at donor registration.

The Central California Blood Center says it's the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 31 hospitals in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa counties and must collect between 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood a month to meet the needs of the Valley.

Here is a list of blood centers in the Valley:

Jenny Eller Donor Center
4343 W. Herndon
M-Th 8a-6:30p
F 8a-6p, S 9a-3p

Fresno
3445 N. First St.
M-Th 8a-6:30p
F 8a-6p

North Fresno
1010 E. Perrin
M-Th 8a-6:30p
F 8a-6p, S 9a-3p

Visalia
1515 S. Mooney Blvd.
M-Th 8a-6:30p
F 8a-6p, S 9a-1p

Porterville
93 N. Main St., Ste. D
T-Th 11a-6p
S 9a-1p