If you want to donate blood for Las Vegas victims, check first

The Central California Blood Center is asking most donors to wait to give in response to Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.

The only blood that continues to be needed is O negative, A negative and B negative. The O negative is the universal blood type and A negative and B negative blood types are rare.

Back in the central San Joaquin Valley, car accidents and tragic shootings have increased the demand for O negative blood, said Leslie Botos, director of community relations and development.

The American Red Cross and Blood Systems have been able to supply blood to Las Vegas, she said. “We stand ready to help, but we need to have what they need, which most likely will be O negative blood.”

Donors of other blood types are asked to hold the donations, and schedule to come in over the next days and weeks, she said.

“Blood is as perishable as it is precious,” Botos said. “If more blood is collected than used, then it will be discarded, and that is not good stewardship.”

People can learn about blood donation and follow the need for donation on the blood center’s web site.

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 4:52 PM with the headline "If you want to donate blood for Las Vegas victims, check first."