RED CROSS CALLING FOR BLOOD; CENTERS DOWN TO 10% OF RESERVES.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Hoping to thwart what may be the worst summer blood shortage in 10 years, the American Red Cross on Tuesday issued an emergency appeal for donations, especially type O blood.

Southern California officials said regional blood centers are reporting less than a day's supply of O-negative and a day-and-a-half supply of O-positive. The agency usually maintains 10 days' worth of type O blood, which half the population has and the one most often used in emergencies.

If the agency doesn't receive more donations, area hospitals may cancel elective surgeries and may have trouble responding to emergency traumas such as car crashes during the long July Fourth weekend, officials said.

``We have a severe blood shortage,'' said Cheryle Babbitt, managing director of donor services for American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region.

``We have been fortunate to avoid serious blood shortages in June and July in past years,'' Babbitt said. ``That's not happening this year.''

Blood supplies drop 50 percent during the summer and holidays because donors are busy or out of town on vacation.

So far, the agency has not received reports of canceled medical procedures from the more than 150 hospitals it serves in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

At Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Woodland Hills, however, doctors worry that the depleted supplies soon will affect them.

``When the Red Cross says they're hurting for blood, it's just a matter of time before it ripples through to us,'' said Dr. Michael Kanter, director of the center's blood bank.

Next month, donations are expected to be hit especially hard because of the Independence Day holiday.

``With the upcoming July Fourth holiday and the long holiday weekend, we're concerned that donations will be way off,'' said Dr. Ross Herron, medical director of Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region.

``That could spell trouble for the beginning of July and the remainder of July.''

Southern California's shortage also is exacerbated by the area's dependence on out-of-state blood supplies.

About 40 percent of the region's supplies are imported from other parts of the country, Babbitt said. But a majority of Red Cross blood centers nationwide are reporting less than a day-and-a-half supply of O-negative blood.

``Bringing blood in from other parts of the country is OK until something goes wrong,'' Babbitt said.

To increase blood supplies, the organization is calling past donors and asking corporations and civic organizations to host blood drives. Babbitt said the agency needs at least 100 more such blood drives in July to replenish depleted supplies.

Herron said donating blood could save the lives not only of car-crash victims but those who have chronic health problems and depend on transfusions to survive.

``You never know whether your mother or son or daughter may be a trauma patient,'' Herron said. ``You might need blood, and you want to be able to contribute to the blood supply of your community.''

THE FACTS

To give blood, donors must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and not be at risk for HIV or AIDS.

To donate blood to the Red Cross, call (800) GIVE-LIFE. Donations also can be made at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills by calling [phone].

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