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Blood supply lowest in more than a decade, Red Cross warns American Red Cross officials have issued a red alert for blood supplies in three Western states, including Oregon -- the first red alert in 21 years. The red alert was issued after blood supplies for type O-positive, the most common blood type, dropped about 80 percent below standard levels. Trudy Sullivan, chief operating officer for the Red Cross Pacific Northwest Region, said the agency began Wednesday with 126 units of type O-positive blood to serve Oregon, Washington and Alaska. And the agency had only seven units that morning of type O-negative, the "universal blood type" that can be given to patients of any blood type in an emergency. Standard supply levels are 732 units for type O-positive and 180 for type O-negative. "Any way you slice it, it's a really ugly picture," Sullivan said, adding that blood supply levels have not been this low since 1988. "I want to see this end immediately because this is not a good place to be," Sullivan said. "We've really got to pull out all the stops and end it quickly." If the shortage is not soon corrected, Sullivan said the Red Cross will ask hospitals to determine whether some surgeries may be postponed. Red Cross officials are urging community members to make and keep appointments for blood donations. Sullivan said the holidays and illness have prevented people from keeping appointments with the Red Cross. Local blood drives will be held: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, First Presbyterian Church, Walker Street and Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland. 12:45 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Red Cross blood donor center, 48 Hawthorne St., Medford. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh a minimum of 105 pounds and be in good health. To schedule an appointment, call 773-3813. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA