The blood supply in the north, central and east Texas regions has reached a two-year low, Carter BloodCare said in an announcement on the organization’s website.
The blood available is less than one day’s supply, and willing blood donors are necessary to prevent disruptions in patient care at area hospitals.
In a related announcement, Medstar Mobile Healthcare has scheduled a donation drive for Friday, Jan. 25, at the Medstar headquarters building at 2900 Alta Mere Drive, Fort Worth, where a Carter BloodCare Bus will be stationed in the company’s parking lot.
Donors at Medstar are also welcome to tour the headquarters and 9-1-1 center. Donors also will receive an exclusive Dallas Mavericks T-shirt and a BOGO ticket voucher.
Carter BloodCare is appealing to the greater community’s altruism as blood donors are an essential part of the health care fabric in our communities, the release said. Without volunteer donors, there is no other way to provide blood or platelet transfusions for patients.
“Carter BloodCare typically likes to see 1,000 donors each day in order to maintain the community blood supply at a safe and sufficient level,” said Doug Heath, director of lab operations, Carter BloodCare. “The week ahead shows an estimated 3,000 appointments short of that target. This is a situation that will not go away overnight.”
For the next week, all donors with blood types Rh negative (O-, A- and B-) are greatly needed. Blood type O Rh positive is also critically low; and that is concerning since it is the primary blood type used by trauma experts when massive blood transfusion is required.
Additionally, the nationwide network of community non-profit blood centers that makes itself available to other centers when blood shortages occur, is unable to support the North, Central and East Texas region Carter BloodCare serves.
There is a widespread shortage of blood that can only be remedied by local blood donors showing up to give.
Standard eligibility requirements are a minimum weight of 110 pounds, the donor feels well that day and presents a government-issued photo ID at each donation. Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds and older may give independently.
Carter BloodCare is an independent, community blood center providing transfusion resources to more than 180 medical facilities in 50-plus counties of north, central and east Texas.
To make an appointment: Text or call (800) 366-2834 or visit www.carterbloodcare.org To register to donate at Medstar Mobile Healthcare, visit: http://bit.ly/MedstarBloodDrive
– FWBP Staff