Oregon Blood Shortage Grows as Red Cross Urges Latino Donors Not to Stay Away

As Oregon’s blood supply runs dangerously low, the American Red Cross is concerned that the Latino community is not donating blood for fear of immigration reprisals.

The nonprofit is urgently appealing to the Latino community, who predominantly have Type O blood, to donate blood as supplies are nearing depletion.

Type O-negative blood is typically used for patients of all blood types, and Type O-positive is compatible with most Rh-positive patients.

Latino Communities Are Shying Away From Donating For Fear of Immigration Reprisals

Carolyn Kust, who oversees blood drives across the region for the American Red Cross, is concerned that Latino communities are shying away from donating for fear of immigration enforcement reprisals.

Kust says the dwindling appearance of members from the Latino community at blood drives could also be caused by the false belief that the American Red Cross is a government agency.

She believes that increased immigration enforcement and fear of deportation are fanning the flames of distrust.

To illustrate the urgency of the current shortage, Kust says a single trauma patient can require up to 50 or more units of blood, while a blood drive typically provides 30 units.

Blood can be donated by non-U.S. citizens and by people who are not permanent residents of the U.S. Approved identification includes driver’s licenses, passports, bank and school IDs, or other approved identification.

Prospective donors can make appointments via the www.redcrossblood.org app or by contacting 800-RED-CROSS.

Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.

The American Red Cross is also appealing to schools, churches, businesses, and community organizations to host blood drives.