Why Latino Blood Donors Are Important To The Blood Supply

Do you know what makes donations from the Latino community especially important in the treatment of trauma patients and those needing emergency blood transfusions? More than half of all Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S. have type O blood, which is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals.

One in seven patients entering the hospital needs blood transfusions. These individuals could need an organ transplant or be suffering from a traumatic injury, experiencing a complicated childbirth or receiving treatment for cancer or blood disorders like sickle cell disease.

Plus, type O blood is what hospital staff reach for during emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type. In fact, type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type, while type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type in trauma situations. It’s easy to see why these crucial blood types are often the first to reach shortage levels and why Latino donors are needed.

Patients are waiting for your lifesaving gift. What are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment to give today!