DESPERATE NEED FOR GIFT OF BLOOD.Byline: Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer The American Red Cross American Red Cross: see Red Cross. pleaded Monday for residents to donate blood, as the region's blood supply is far below its seven-day reserve and a national blood shortage could be on the horizon. The organization's Blood Services Division has less than a one-day supply of Type O-negative blood, and is also running low on O-positive, the universal blood type used in emergencies. During a news conference at their Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. headquarters, officials said the shortage is exacerbated by the fact that California imports about 40 percent of its blood supply from other states, but those regions are facing an equally dire shortage. ``We do not want to be in a situation where hospitals are forced to cancel medical procedures,'' said James Lott, an executive vice president with the Hospital Association of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . ``The only way to resolve this shortage is for people to donate blood now.'' According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
In Southern California, the organization is unable to fully stock hospitals, and is distributing blood only to meet immediate needs. Southern California hospitals have been asked to cooperate in the transfer of blood based on need. ``We are trying to prevent cancellation of nonelective surgeries,'' Whitburn said. ``There are also shortages in the Midwest and in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , and we're sending out this alert to try to avert a national blood shortage.'' Phillip W. Browne, (818) 713-3707 phillip.browne(at)dailynews.com TO DONATE --Blood donors must be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and not at risk for HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome . To donate, call (800) GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment at your local blood center. To sponsor a blood drive, call (800) 491-2113. CAPTION(S): box Box: TO DONATE (see text) |
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