Nebraska Community Blood Bank issues ‘urgent’ call for blood donors

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska Community Blood Bank issued an urgent call Thursday for type O blood donations.

The shortage is due in part to a national surge in blood usage that is now impacting local hospitals.

The current inventory of type O blood is the lowest it’s been since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the blood bank said.

Type O+ is the most common blood type, shared by nearly 40% of the U.S. population.

Type O- is a universal blood type that is most commonly used in emergencies.

“We are appealing to our community to step up and donate blood, especially those who are type O,” Executive Director Cherly Warholoski said. “The summer months are always a challenging time for the blood supply, but we are currently experiencing an even lower level of this crucial blood type than at the start of the pandemic.”

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month.

To view current eligibility guidelines, visit ncbb.org or call 402.486.9414.