Oregon Public Broadcasting

The upcoming Labor Day holiday has the metro area's Red Cross chapter concerned about having enough type O negative blood on hand for the region's hospitals.

Daphne Mathew: "O negative is particularly important because it can be used in a traumatic situation. And any type donor can receive from an O negative donor."

That's Daphne Mathew, spokeswoman for the Red Cross' Northwest Blood Services Region.

She says the focus is on getting blood that can go to anyone. But if your type isn't O negative, that's no reason not to donate.

Daphne Mathew: "We really want to stress that donors of all types are needed."

The Red Cross's Blood Services Region supplies blood to over 80 hospitals in the local area.