The Community Blood Center, based in Appleton, Wis., supplies blood to the hospitals in Escanaba and Iron Mountain, among others. They have announced an urgent need for multiple blood types.

ESCANABA – The Community Blood Center on Wednesday urged all eligible Type O negative donors to donate as soon as possible after multiple emergencies depleted the supply.

A day later, an updated call for help went out: “There is now a critical need for Type O positive, Type O negative and Type A negative donors,” the CBC stated in a news release Thursday.

The CBC, based in Appleton, Wis., was founded in 1955 to fill the need for a reliable, local blood supply. It is the sole blood supply to both Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain and OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.

Within just 24 hours, two patients in hospitals CBC supports required large amounts of O negative blood — nearly 20 units transfused during the emergencies.

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, CBC’s inventory dropped to just a one-day supply of O negative. That is well below what must be in stock to meet anticipated patient needs in the coming days.

Generous donors help maintain a reliable blood supply for everyday treatments and unexpected traumas.

“Coming from the universal blood donor, O-negative blood is crucial in emergencies when every second counts. Only about 9% of the population has this blood type, but it is always in high demand,” said John Hagins, CBC president and CEO. “While O negative is critically low, all blood types are constantly needed to support local hospital patients. Donate today and be someone’s lifeline tomorrow.”

An update sent by the CBC on Thursday announced: “The Community Blood Center (CBC) sent more than 30 units of O positive blood to four local hospitals on top of routine deliveries for urgent transfusions early Thursday. A patient is also currently using many units of A negative blood. CBC’s A negative inventory is at less than two days on hand.”

Winter weather and seasonal illnesses lead to fewer donations, but patients can’t wait. If donors can safely travel, CBC encourages them to schedule to help community members get through surgeries, cancer treatments, childbirth complications, life-threatening emergencies and more.

CBC is showing appreciation for selfless donors in many ways, including the Lifesaver Rewards program. All donors can join by opting in to earn points throughout the donation process. Points are redeemable for a $25 value gratitude gift, including virtual gift cards.

People looking to help may schedule a donation by going online to communityblood.org, using the CBC Donor App or calling 800-280-4102.

Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain regularly has donation opportunities.

CBC hosts more than 100 blood drives every month. The CBC is a member of America’s Blood Centers and Blood Centers of America, which are networks of independent community-based, not-for-profit blood centers supporting the blood needs for approximately 60% of the United States.