Where to Donate Blood in Westchase

When a disaster like the Boston Marathon bomb strikes, donated blood supply is vital to helping people in critical medical need.

So far, local Tampa Bay blood centers have not been tapped to help survivors in Boston, but officials say they remain at the ready in case their services are needed.

"We reached out to our contacts in Boston and we were told blood is currently being sent by donors closer to Boston," said Susan Forbes, chief marketing communications officer for One Blood, the umbrella organization for Florida Blood Services. "We continue to monitor and remain in close contact should they need additional support."

Barnes explained local blood centers are always seeking donors, especially those with an O-Negative blood type. O-Negative blood is considered a "universal donor" and can be used by everyone, Barnes said.

"When a trauma patient needs blood and they don't know their blood type they get O-Negative blood because it is the universal donor," she said.

Only 7 percent of the population is O-Negative, Barnes said.

Want to donate? Visit Florida Blood Services to find the donation center or blood drive closest to Westchase.

Does your organization have a blood drive coming up? Be sure to add it to the Westchase Patch calendar or let us know by commenting below.