Cancelled blood drives due to the heat have led to the Group O blood supply in Western Washington reaching a critical level, according to the Puget Sound Blood Center.

Michael Young, communications director for the blood center, said because of the extreme temperatures, the blood center has cancelled or cut short dozens of drives, lost over 500 blood donations, Group O-plus inventory of 1,000 when it should be 1,500 and Group O-negative inventory of 230, when it should be 380.

Group O blood is considered the universal blood group and can be given to any patient suffering from trauma.

Young said when someone has a traumatic accident and is rushed to a hospital, there often isn’t time to type that person’s blood, thus the importance of Group O donations.

A blood type is considered at a critical inventory level when it reaches a two day supply, as opposed to a four day operational inventory.

It takes over 900 donor registrations every day to maintain an operational blood supply in Western Washington. For the safety and care of patients, the center urges donations.

For more information about donor centers and mobile blood drives, call 1-800-398-7888 or visit www.psbc.org for donation center hours of operation and driving directions, or to find a mobile drive.

Walk-ins are also welcome.