Less than two weeks into the New Year, the American Red Cross is already facing a severe shortage of several blood types.  Supplies of O negative, O positive, A negative and B positive blood are currently at less than a day’s supply despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the past month.

These levels could drop even further in the coming days and weeks. Type O and type B blood are the most commonly used blood types and are needed to treat patients every single day. O negative blood can be used for all patients, but it is essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and pregnant women.

Blood drives are being held across Georgia at various times and locations. Donors are asked to visit www.givebloodredcross.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. The Southern Region needs 1,200 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply more than 130 hospitals and health care facilities in the state.  Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.