Blood shortage could have consequences

The Suncoast Communities Blood Bank is warning that if the current blood shortage isn’t rectified soon, it could lead to the cancellation of surgeries, therapies and the treatment of trauma patients.

The supply of O-positive and O-negative blood has reached critically low levels.

The blood bank is urging anyone with those blood types to donate blood immediately.

Sarasota’s donor center is located at 1760 Mound St. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday.

Donors also can visit the Bloodmobile, which will at the Taoist Tai Chi Society from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, the society, 4101 S. Lockwood Ridge Road.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].