Our Blood Institute issued an urgent call for Type O blood donors during National Blood Donor Month due to critically low O-positive and O-negative supplies after the holidays.

A post-holiday shortage pattern is noted: donation appointments decline in late December/early January due to travel and school breaks, while the need for blood remains.

National Blood Donor Month highlights the lifesaving impact of blood donation and encourages eligible donors to give.

Healthy individuals aged 16 or older can donate, with donation taking about an hour and potentially saving up to three lives; appointments can be made at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777, with walk-ins welcome.

Age/weight requirements specify 16-, 17-, and 18+ year-olds, and the need for a photo ID.

Donations can be scheduled online or by phone, with walk-ins accepted; 16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds with parental permission, 17-year-olds at least 125 pounds, and 18+ year-olds at least 110 pounds; a photo ID is required.

Eight common blood types and their donation impact are outlined, showing which patients can benefit from each type.

The report is provided by KSWO (Lawton, OK) and is dated January 2026.

Our Blood Institute is the sixth-largest independent blood center in the U.S., with 17 donor centers across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, serving over 240 hospitals and facilities.

Information is provided on how to determine blood type and eligibility to donate, including steps to register and check eligibility after initial contact.

The Ro subtype is extremely rare and particularly important for sickle cell patients, with only about 3% of regular donors having Ro and 47% of Black heritage donors possessing it; demand for Ro is rising.

Our Blood Institute operates five donor centers across Arkansas and serves more than 40 hospitals, medical facilities, and air ambulance services in the state.