BLOOD SUPPLY DIPS TOO LOW.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

PALMDALE - The American Red Cross has issued a warning about an emergency blood supply shortage and Antelope Valley's local center is doing everything it can to turn that shortage around.

A Red Cross blood mobile will spend ten days in January accepting donations all over the Antelope Valley.

``There's a blood shortage and it's extreme,'' said Fran Stewart, director of the American Red Cross's Antelope Valley center. ``When it's needed, what if it isn't on the shelf?''

The biggest need is for O-negative blood types, but there is a shortage for all types including O-positive and B-negative.

O-negative types are called ``universal donors'' because their red blood cells can be transferred to people of all blood types.

Donations are running about 25 percent below what is needed to maintain a stable blood supply.

Officials said that if the levels remain low, elective surgeries will be canceled to make sure that enough blood is available for emergency services.

``There has to be enough on hand for those emergencies,'' Stewart said.

Blood donations will be collected Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lancaster sheriff's station, 501 West Lancaster Blvd., and from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Red Cross office, 2715 E. Ave. P, Palmdale.

On Thursday, the blood mobile will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2120 E. Ave. R, Palmdale, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Blood donations can also be made 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 15 and 1 to 7 p.m. Jan. 18, 24, 25 and 31 at the Red Cross office.

Also on Jan. 25, the blood mobile will be at the Los Angeles County Department of Public and Social Services office, 349 E. Ave. K-6, Lancaster, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To give, blood donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health and not at risk for HIV or AIDS. To donate blood at another time, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or contact the Palmdale Red Cross office at 267-0650.

To make an appointment for the Monday drive at the Lancaster sheriff's station, call [phone] Ext. 3807.