Hoxworth Issues Emergency Appeal for Blood and Platelet Donors

CINCINNATI—Hoxworth Blood Center has issued an emergency appeal for donors of all blood types, especially Type O, and platelets.

The community’s blood supply is down 615 units in type O+ and O- combined, which are the types in greatest demand at local hospitals. (one unit = one pint)

Reasons for the shortage include heavy usage at local hospitals last weekend and below average collections. Attempts to source blood and blood products from other blood centers have been denied due to critical shortages nationwide. Hospitals and trauma centers can't function without Type O blood, the most common blood type.

Approximately 44 percent of the population is either O+ or O- (38 percent O+ and 6 person O-).

Inventory levels at Hoxworth are at the lowest point they have ever been this summer. Blood or platelet donations can be made at the Hoxworth Building on the UC Academic Health Center campus or at one of Hoxworth’s eight neighborhood donation centers in Anderson, Blue Ash, Downtown, Ft. Mitchell, Ft. Thomas, Mason, Tri-County and Western Hills.

Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (513) 451-0910 or visiting www.hoxworth.org.

Donating blood is safe and easy. Donors must be at least 17 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors should eat a good meal and drink plenty of water within four hours prior to donating, and bring identification with them to the donation center.

Hoxworth Blood Center, part of the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, is the only blood center for the greater Cincinnati area. Serving a 17-county area in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, Hoxworth collects, tests, processes and distributes blood and blood components to 28 hospitals and medical centers.