WICHITA —  On Tuesday, the American Red Cross launched the Missing Types campaign to raise awareness for lifesaving blood donations and urge the public to make an appointment to give blood this summer.

 During the Missing Types campaign, the letters A, B and O – the letters representing the main blood groups – are disappearing from brands, social media pages, signs and websites to illustrate the critical role blood donors play in helping patients. When the letters A, B and O vanish from everyday life, the gaps are striking. And when A, B, O and AB blood types go missing from hospital shelves, patient care and medical treatments are affected.

Blood transfusion is the fourth most common inpatient hospital procedure in the U.S. Blood can only come from volunteer blood donors, yet only 3 out of 100 people in the U.S. give blood. That’s simply not enough to help patients who need transfusions.

“Just last month, the Red Cross experienced a critical shortage of type O blood. When this happens, medical procedures could be delayed because blood products are not available,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “That’s why we are asking those eligible to help fill the missing types by making a donation appointment today. Don’t wait for the letters A, B and O to go missing from hospital shelves again.”

Donors can help fill the missing types by making an appointment to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming donation opportunities

Claflin

June 17, 12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Claflin Community Center, 409 A Street

Ellinwood

June 28, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ellinwood District Hospital, 605 N. Main

Great Bend

June 13, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, 1809 24th St.

June 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Barton County Health Dept., 1300 Kansas Ave.

June 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at VFW Post 3111, 504 Washington St.

Hoisington

June 14, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Hoisington High School, 1200 Susank Rd.

June 17, 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Hoisington Activity Center, 1200 Susank.

Larned

June 21 from noon to 6 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 M Rd.

La Crosse

June 21 from noon to 6 p.m. at LaCrosse City Auditorium, 417 Main St.