With blood supply low, a call for donors

After a busy holiday season brought down already strained blood supplies, one local organization is calling on West Valley residents to step up and meet the need.

Stanford Blood Center says that higher usage in December, combined with a slow incoming supply due to donors’ holiday schedules, has led to a critically low supply of blood. Two types – O positive and O negative – are down to a one-day supply.

The group, which supplies blood products and testing services to several hospitals across the region, operated three donation centers in the region, in Campbell, Menlo Park, and Mountain View, along with a number of mobile blood drives options.

On Thursday, January 9, a special drive is set at the Center’s headquarters, 3373 Hillview Ave. in Palo Alto, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors at that event will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

All blood types are needed, with Type O being particularly useful as it is universal and can be given to any recipient.

To schedule an appointment to give blood, click here or call 888-723-7831. To check your eligibility to donate blood, click here.