(File Photo of the Vitalant Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant is facing a critical shortage of type O blood and is urging all donors, especially those with type O blood, to make an appointment now. The type O blood supply has decreased and recently dropped to a two-year low since May, and donation appointments in Western Pennsylvania need to be filled up to boost the supply of blood between now and the end of July. According to a release from Vitalant, here is more information about how to donate blood:

How to Help

Most people are eligible to donate blood, and it only takes an hour to make a lifesaving difference. Blood donors of all types, especially those with type O, and platelet donors, are urged to make an appointment at one of Vitalant’s eight air-conditioned donation centers in the Pittsburgh area or community-hosted blood drives by visiting vitalant.org (click here), downloading and using the Vitalant app, or calling 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

As a special thank you to all who answer the call during this critical time, all donors who show up to donate with Vitalant by July 11th can receive their choice of T-shirt while supplies last, and those who schedule an appointment using promo code JULYGIFT-2026-V (click here to find out more) will receive a $20 gift card in Vitalant Donor Rewards*. Plus, starting July 9 through August 8, all Vitalant donors will automatically be entered to win a car (find out more by clicking here)** (valued up to $30,000).