KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Due to recent increased demand, the local MEDIC Regional Blood Center said its O negative blood supply is still "critically low."
According to the Red Cross, only 7% of the population has O negative blood. Even though the type is so low, the demand is high; O negative blood is often used in emergency transfusions. This is because people with O negative blood are "universal" red cell donors -- their red blood cells can be transfused to anyone.
In a Monday statement, MEDIC Regional Blood Center said it sees fewer donors during the holiday season -- but the region's need for donated blood remains steady or even rises.
O negative blood is important in trauma situations for patients in critical condition. The blood center provides blood for 25 hospitals in 22 nearby counties.
Blood donated to MEDIC stays in East Tennessee and surrounding counties.
MEDIC said it has several rewards for people who donate blood from Dec. 16 to Dec. 21.
- Dec. 16 to Dec. 20: Donors will receive holiday socks, a Chick-Fil-A coupon and a coupon for a free appetizer at Texas Roadhouse.
- Dec. 20 to Dec. 21: Donors recieve a Ski Pass for Ober Gatlinburg, a holiday shirt and a coupon for a free appetizer at Texas Roadhouse.
The promotions are available at MEDIC's Regional Blood Center Donor Centers in Downtown Knoxville, Farragut, Athens and Crossville. They're also available at its Mobile Blood Drives, which can be found online.
