JACKSON, Tenn. – West Tennessee’s local community blood center, LIFELINE Blood Services, continues a desperate appeal for type O negative blood. “Since alerting the public last week, that the blood supply was below minimum levels, the amount of type O negative blood has not increased and this is a grave concern, “ said Cherie Parker, Public Relations Coordinator.

While LIFELINE asks that people with all types of blood donate this week, officials say that there is an alarming need for type O negative blood. “Because O negative units are sometimes given in emergency situations when there is no time to spare and because O negative patients many times cannot be switched to any other blood type, we can’t overstate the importance of having this blood available for patients in need,” said Jenny French, Product Coordinator.

All donors are asked to give blood this week and those with type O negative are asked to come in Monday or Tuesday. Blood Center donor hours at 183 Sterling Farms Drive are: Monday through Thursday from 12-6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.