MEDIC Regional Blood Center in need of O negative blood

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The MEDIC Regional Blood Center said on Friday it has a critical need for O negative blood.

"We try not to use words like crisis, critical, emergency, but we're using them today because it's the truth,"

spokesman Ben Prijatel said.

"We don't want to cry wolf ... we always need blood, but this is a different sort of need today."

Prijatel said they've filled many hospital orders this week but now supplies have dwindled.

"Unfortunately we now are unable to fill orders. We do not have O negative blood that we need to help hospitals,"

Prijatel said in a Facebook video.

"We've been telling them 'no.' It's the honest truth because we don't have it."

Prijatel said on Friday there was only about eight units of O negative blood in supply, and those were being held for only the most critical emergencies. O negative is a universal blood type because it is compatible with all types, and Prijatel said that anyone who can donate should immediately.

"If you need me to call your boss and ask if you can donate blood, I'll do it,"

he said.

"I'll do anything I can to get you in the door today."

MEDIC is also in need of O positive blood as well. Anyone interested in donating can find information to do so here.