The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hoxworth Blood Center issued a "critical appeal" Monday for donors with type O blood.

"We're asking all individuals with type O blood to donate at their earliest convenience," said Michael Anderson, spokesman for Hoxworth. "This situation is very serious."

As of Monday Hoxworth's type O inventory was down almost 400 units, or about 40 percent below normal levels. All other blood types are at normal levels.

This means that local hospitals have about a three-day supply of type O blood compared to a normal five- or six-day supply.

Summer has traditionally been the slowest time of the year for collecting blood donations, especially because students - who account for about 15 percent of all blood donors - are on holiday.

Last month, hospitals in Louisville were forced to cancel surgeries because of a critical blood shortage. So far, the situation isn't that severe in Cincinnati.

For information about donating blood, call (513) 451-0910 or visit www.hoxworth.org.

Hoxworth operates donation centers in Anderson, Blue Ash, Corryville, downtown, Fort Mitchell, Fort Thomas, Tri-County and Western Hills. Operating days and hours vary.

Hoxworth's Bloodmobiles accept donations at the following locations:

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Brighton Center, Newport, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at University Pointe, West Chester;

• 1:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Arbors at Milford.

• 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Thomas More College, and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Edgewood Community, 385 Dudley Road, Edgewood.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North, in Covington; 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at Provident Bank, Hyde Park Plaza; and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Provident Bank, Cold Spring.