A Navarre woman is desperately needing O Negative blood that is negative for the KPB antigen immediately.
The woman, Ramona Speer, was scheduled to have a life-saving surgery on Tuesday November 26th, but because her blood type is so rare, there isn’t any O- blood in Northwest Florida that is negative for the antigen.
OneBlood is working closely with the American Rare Donor Program, an agency that searches the world for rare blood. After a nationwide search, 3 matching donors have been found. In addition, Speer donated a unit herself, bring the total to 4 units currently on hand. Her doctor would like 6-8 units before her December 10 surgery.
According to OneBlood, O- has the power to save anyone in need of a blood transfusion. Donors with this powerful blood type are called the universal donor because their red blood cells can be transfused into any patient, regardless of the recipient’s blood type. Only 7% of the population has O- blood, yet it is the blood type in the highest demand.
For Ramona, she is negative for an antigen that only 2% of the world is negative for.
That makes this critical and a huge reason why having a diverse blood supply is key.
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If you are O Negative and meet the donor criteria, OneBlood locations in Northwest Florida will test for the antigen. Make sure you request they test for the KPB antigen. Direct your donation to Ramona Speer in Navarre, Florida.
One Blood in Fort Walton Beach
405 Racetrack Rd NE #104
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
One Blood in Crestview
2400 S Ferdon Blvd B
Crestview, FL 32536
Open Tuesday and Friday.
One Blood on Nine Mile Road
1999 E 9 Mile Road
Pensacola, FL 32514
Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
