LANCASTER – The Antelope Valley Hospital Blood Donor Center is issuing an urgent appeal for type O-Negative blood donors. Operating a Trauma Center increases the number of patients requiring this rare blood type. And due to an ongoing regional shortage of type O-Negative blood, AVH has been unable to obtain additional replacement units from outside suppliers.
Individuals with this blood type are encouraged to donate blood this week.
To qualify, potential donors must:
- Be at least 16 years old with written parental/guardian consent (17 years old and older does not require parental consent)
- Weigh at least 110 pounds (Age 16 must weigh at least 120 pounds)
- Be in good health (no colds, flu, infections or unstable health conditions)
- Not have given blood in the last eight weeks
- Eat a meal and drink extra fluids before donating
First time donors must present a picture ID (driver’s license or state-issued ID card). Donors should allow at least one hour for the total donation process, but the actual donation takes about 5-10 minutes.
All blood collected at the AVH Blood Donor Center is used in the Antelope Valley and all donors receive a free cholesterol test.
To donate, visit AVH Blood Donor Center’s new location at AV Outpatient Imaging Center, 44105 15th Street West, Suite 305 in Lancaster.
The center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on the first and third Saturday of every month, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To make an appointment or for information, call 661-949-5622. Walk-ins are also welcome.
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