Blood Assurance is asking the community for help

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Megan Elrod was just a 16-year-old high school student when she first learned just how special she is.

"I didn’t know at the time what my blood type was," said Elrod, who now works as a donor care specialist for Blood Assurance, "But when it came back it was O-, and I also found out I have babies blood. So that means I’m O- and I’m CMV-, so my blood goes straight to the babies."

Only six percent of the world has O- blood type, which is also known as universal blood. "It’s very important, because if someone loses a whole bunch of blood, and they don’t have time to test the blood type, they give them O- blood because O- can go to any person," said Elrod.

That’s why Blood Assurance is now asking for help from the community, and especially people like Elrod. "We’ve been a little short of that lately," said Charlie Callari, VP of Marketing and Donor Recruitment, "So our goal for the next six days is to bring in at least 75 O- donors every day."

Don’t know your blood type? That’s not a problem. Simply visit any one of the 15 Blood Assurance facilities and get tested. It’s quick, painless and it only takes about 10 minutes.

"Come in and give it a try," said Elrod, "It’s not as bad as you think. It might hurt for a second but that seven to 10 minutes you’re donating your saving three lives. So it’s completely worth it."

"We need 540 donors every single day," said Callari, "Even if you’re not O- we still need you to come in. There’s a constant need, we’ve got 75 hospitals that we do supply blood for."

To donate blood patients must be 17 years or older (16 with parental consent is allowed), weigh at least 110 lbs and be in good health. For more information about donating blood or for a list of locations, click here.