Houchin Community Blood Bank is putting out a call for O-positive and O-negative blood donations as its stores run low.<\/p>\n
While blood centers across the U.S. continue to face challenges maintaining adequate blood inventories, Houchin said, the impact is being felt in Kern County.<\/p>\n
“The need became even more apparent last week when Houchin Community Blood Bank was activated through the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) to assist with a national emergency response following the mass shooting in Midland, Texas,” a Houchin news release said. “As part of the activation, Houchin joined other blood centers across the country in helping support blood inventory needs after multiple victims required emergency medical treatment.”<\/p>\n
The release said this activation serves as a reminder that blood donated here can save people’s lives half the country away, not just locally.<\/p>\n
“Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come from volunteer donors,” said Houchin Community Blood Bank\u00a0CEO\u00a0Jonathan Bautista. “Last week, we were called upon to help support a national emergency response.”<\/p>\n
Type-O blood is among the most the most useful blood products, the release said, with O-negative blood being especially useful, as it can be used in emergency situations when a patient’s blood type is unknown. O-positive blood is the most commonly transfused blood type and is used daily to support trauma patients, surgeries, cancer treatments, and other lifesaving medical procedures, the release says.<\/p>\n
The release said Houchin recently launched “The O-Team,” a new donor recognition program designed specifically for O-positive and O-negative donors.<\/p>\n
O-Team members can earn rewards as they continue donating: a welcome punch card and collectible O-Team pin for the first donation, double entries into select Houchin giveaways for the second, an exclusive O-Team T-shirt for the third, a premium insulated tumbler for the fourth, and a $50 e-gift card for the fifth.<\/p>\n
Community members who know they have Type-O blood are encouraged to schedule an appointment as soon as possible, the release said, but individuals who do not know their blood type are also encouraged to donate.<\/p>\n