Red Cross Missing Types campaign urges donors to give blood

Nashville, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) A’s, B’s and O’s are disappearing from major brands to highlight the critical importance of blood donations, and the American Red Cross campaign urges donors to fill the Missing Types by giving blood.

June 14 was the 15th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day. The American Red Cross is celebrating with the launch of its the Missing Types campaign to raise awareness for lifesaving blood donations and urge the public to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this summer.

During the Missing Types campaign, the letters A, B and O – the letters representing the main blood groups – are disappearing from brands, social media pages, signs and websites to illustrate the critical role blood donors play in helping patients. When the letters A, B and O vanish from everyday life, the gaps are striking. And when A, B, O and AB blood types go missing from hospital shelves, patient care and medical treatments are affected.

Blood transfusion is the fourth most common inpatient hospital procedure in the U.S. Blood can only come from volunteer blood donors, yet only 3 out of 100 people in the U.S. give blood. That’s simply not enough to help patients who need transfusions.

“Just last month, the Red Cross experienced a critical shortage of type O blood. When this happens, medical procedures could be delayed because blood products are not available,” said Tiffany Taylor, external communications manager, Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “That’s why we are asking those eligible to help fill the missing types by making a donation appointment today. Don’t wait for the letters A, B and O to go missing from hospital shelves this summer.”

Missing blood products can lead to delays in treatment. More donors, and new donors in particular, are needed to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients like Troy Stemen. Donating blood is a simple process and only takes about an hour from start to finish. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Donors can help fill the missing types by making an appointment to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767.

For more information you can also contact the Tennessee River Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1760 Madison St. in Clarksville, at 931-645-6401.