Danville Regional Medical Center gets needed blood donations

By Sarah Arkin
Danville Register & Bee
Published: September 9, 2008

Danville Regional Medical Center announced Monday that it has replenished its supply of a critical blood type it ran out of last week due to the response of local residents.

On Friday, Danville Regional was completely out of type O blood, according to a statement from the hospital.

Type O blood is particularly important because it can be used as a universal donor-type, explained Karen Chappelle, blood donor coordinator. That is, type O can be given to someone with type A or B.

Of the three blood types, O is the most common in the United States with 44 percent of the population having it.

For those reasons, it’s crucial for a medical center to be well stocked.

Demand for donated blood goes up during the summer months, Chapelle said, noting people are more active outside, which can lead to more injuries.

She pointed out, however, that surgeries and accidents occur all the time, making donated blood a continual necessity. That’s why there are continual calls for donations, even though people regularly give blood, Chappelle added.

Depleting donated blood supplies, which are needed for serious accidents, surgeries and blood transfusions, is a nationwide issue, she said.

“The response needs to be ongoing,” Chapelle said.

• Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.