By Fox23.com News Staff
OKLAHOMA — Our Blood Institute declared an emergency blood shortage on Thursday.
OBI said a broad blood donation appeal was issued after blood inventory levels dropped from around 5,200 units as of this time last year, to around 2,200 units as of Thursday.
To help stabilize supply, more than 300 units of O blood were recently imported from the East Coast, emphasizing the need for local donations, with a focus on O blood.
Until recently, the region of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas was reliably and proudly self-sufficient, said OBI.
OBI said donations of all blood types are needed to support patient care, but declining participating in O blood donors has impacted the blood supply.
Between 2020 and 2024, the O-negative donor base declined by 13 percent, while the O-positive donor based declined by seven percent. OBI said the decline have driven a gradual drop in overall blood availability.
While patient care need remains steady, including trauma response, surgeries, childbirths and ongoing treatments, local inventory has not rebounded after the holidays.
OBI is asking donors of all blood types to give, with a special call to eligible O-negative and O-positive donors to donate now. Recent donors are encouraged to return and new donors are encouraged to step forward and ensure patients receive the care they need.
Anyone who is health and 16-year-old or older can donate blood. Donations typically take around one hour, and each donation saves up to three lives.
You can make an appointment to donate by clicking here, or calling 877-340-8777.
