Hispanic Heritage Month Highlights Need for Type O Blood

Annual observance begins September 15, runs through October 15

Hispanic Americans have a special gift to give. As America’s largest growing ethnic group, about 60 percent of people of Hispanic descent have type O blood. And when you consider that type O is the blood hospitals need most, there’s more than enough reason to observe Hispanic Heritage Month by giving blood through the American Red Cross.

“By far, individuals of Hispanic descent are the single largest group of people with type O blood,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “That represents a tremendous opportunity for this group to play a significant role in building a safe and adequate blood supply for patients across America.”

Hospitals use type O negative blood in most emergency trauma cases when there is not enough time to determine a patient’s blood type. And while type O negative can be safely transfused to anyone, type O positive blood can be transfused to patients with positive blood types—or about 80 percent of the population. While all blood types are needed, Red Cross officials say there is a continuing need for donations from type O donors.

“In fact, more than half of all blood supplied to hospitals is type O,” said Whitman. “As our Hispanic population increases, so will the need for type O blood. We simply need more people of diverse backgrounds to become blood donors today.”

Blood type, like eye color, is an inherited trait. About 60 percent of the Hispanic population is type O, compared to 45 percent of Caucasians and 50 percent of African Americans. Hispanics currently make up 15 percent of the U.S. population at close to 47 million people, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic group.

Give blood or platelets Oct. 1 to 31 and be entered to win a weekend getaway for two at the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls, Ohio and a zip-line tour through Hocking Hills Canopy Tours.

UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:

• Friday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Porter Hospital Valparaiso Campus in the patio room, located at 814 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian Church in the Hall, located at 605 S. Maple St in Kouts. This blood drive is sponsored by Sharefest.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Washington Evangelical Free Church in the gymnasium, located at 3805 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso. This blood drive is sponsored by Sharefest.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at New Life Wesleyan Church, located at 75 East 1100 North in Chesterton. This blood drive is sponsored by Sharefest.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Portage High School in the gymnasium, located at 6450 E. Highway 6 in Portage. This blood drive is sponsored by Sharefest.
  
• Monday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in the Social Hall, located at 6540 Central Ave. in Portage.
  
• Monday, Oct. 4, from noon until 6 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge in the Social Hall, located at 805 Elm St. in Valparaiso.
  
• Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Duneland Health and Wellness in the Fitness Center, located at 810 Michael Drive in Chesterton.
  
• Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Portage Adult Education Center, located at 5391 Central Ave. in Portage.
  
• Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Porter Lakes Elementary School in the Cafeteria, located at 208 S. 725 W. in Hebron. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 9, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Union Fire & Rescue, located at 267 N. 600 W. in Valparaiso.
  
• Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 3:15 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. at Valparaiso University School of Law in Wesemann Hall Room 131, located at 656 Greenwich St. in Valparaiso. Please go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “vulaw” to schedule your blood donation appointment.
• Friday, October 15, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Family Express, located at 1681 Pioneer Trail in Chesterton. Come to donate and receive a free donut.

How to Donate Blood

To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

About the American Red Cross

The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.