The D.C. area is experiencing a “critical shortage” of Rh negative red blood cells, according to the area’s largest supplier of donated blood, which has issued a call for donations.
Inova Blood Donor Services said it is in immediate need of donations from people with blood types O-negative, A-negative and B-negative.
“Donors are needed as soon as possible to re-stock our supply to ensure patients from across Northern Virginia have the blood they need to heal,” the group said in a news release.
Inova’s online blood supply inventory shows supplies of several blood types are running severely low.
For example, the group says it normally needs 75 units of O-negative blood, but currently has just one unit on hand. Typically, Inova needs to have 300 units of A-positive but currently has just 42 units.
You can sign up for an appointment to donate blood on the Inova Blood Donor Services website.
