High demand for O negative blood

BOWLING GREEN Ky.- When it comes to blood drives, all blood types are needed. There’s one blood type that’s needed locally more than others, O negative.

The Red Cross blood drive came to Bowling Green next to the Bowling Green Ballpark Thursday.  According to the American Red Cross website, the O negative blood type is the most commonly used blood type for transfusions. This blood type is often used in emergencies like trauma due to the blood type being universal.

The blood type is rare. According to the American Red Cross, only 7 percent of the population have this blood type, creating a very high demand for it.

Med Center Health Emergency Medical Services field operations manager Jim Williams said O negative blood is useful in emergency situations where there isn’t time to blood match.

“The need for O negative blood is primarily because of its value in emergency situations where we don’t have to do that blood typing for a person who comes in unexpectedly with a critical need,” Williams said.

The Red Cross blood drive comes to the Sloan Convention Center every Friday. Those with the O negative blood type are especially urged to come and donate.