FRESNO (KMJ) — The Central Valley’s blood supply is currently being described as “critically low”.
The Central California Blood Center is asking anyone with O-negative blood to come and donate, as their blood can be used on anyone.
The Fresno centers can be found on 4343 Herndon Ave, 1196 E. Shaw (Suite 102), and 1010 E. Perrin are all open between 9am and 6pm.
The blood center in Visalia on 1515 S. Mooney Boulevard is also open between 9am and 6pm. All four centers will be closed Thanksgiving, but open every other day.
Blood donation takes less than one hour to complete. Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 years old with written parental consent). Senior citizens are encouraged to donate, as there is no upper age limit.
The Central California Blood Center says donors should eat a good meal and drink plenty of water within 4 hours prior to their donation.
The group is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 30 hospitals in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa Counties, and they say they need between 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood a month to meet demand.
