MATC Matters

Hello everyone,

We need your help once again. With the Memorial Day holiday on the horizon, your local Red Cross Blood Services Region is in need of donations of all blood types but we especially have a great need of donors with O negative blood type. The type O negative blood supply is at a critically low level.

A combination of great need by patients and lower than expected collections has impaired the type O negative blood supply. Type O negative blood is commonly referred to as the “universal blood type” because it can be transfused to anyone in most cases.

We also have a need for Apheresis platelet donations to have an adequate supply through the holiday. With a shelf life of just five days for platelets, it’s critical that regular apheresis donations are made to maintain a safe supply.

Due to the blood supply concern, the West Center will be open on Wednesday, May 30.

Donor Center hours are as follows:
Closes for whole blood ‑ Memorial Day, May 28
West Donor Center
East Donor Center

Open for Automated Donations - Memorial Day
East Donor Center ‑ 8 a.m. ‑ 10 a.m.
Call 244‑9710 for an appointment

Apheresis - Memorial Day - 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Call 227‑1201

West Donor Center will be open on Wednesday - May 30 - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thanks,
Frank Ianne