Alright, everybody, listen up. The Red Cross has put out a call asking for help filling their "significant need" for donations of O negative blood.

As you may remember from your 5th grade science class, O negative blood is the "universal donor" that can be transfused into patients with any blood type. The Red Cross needs to keep a lot on hand—and they need a lot of help to make that happen, as fewer than 7 percent of people in the U.S. have O negative blood.

The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
Those who come to donate now through May 15 will be entered to win four single-day tickets to any of 10 Cedar Fair theme parks in the U.S. For a full list of participating parks, visit redcross.cedarfair.com. 

Theme park giveaway or otherwise, it's a good idea to keep our blood bank well stocked. 
 
Want to donate?

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.