Patterson Chevrolet hosts Carter BloodCare drive for Texans in urgent need of lifesaving transfusions

Patterson Chevrolet hosts Carter BloodCare drive for Texans in urgent need of lifesaving transfusions

KILGORE, Texas (April 18, 2022) – As North, Central and East Texans resume regular activities this spring, Carter BloodCare reminds residents to put blood donation at the top of their to-do lists. Although statewide COVID-19 cases have dropped this season, and resumption of many activities compete for time, the community blood supply has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels; many blood types remain at less than one-day’s availability. Between 600 and 800 patients need blood transfusions daily; most require more than one unit of red cells or other blood components, like platelets.

To help the community replenish and recover, Patterson Chevrolet of Kilgore is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at 1611 US-259 Business in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For details and to make an appointment that saves local lives, contact Sharon Staehs at (903) 981-9100.

To save time as well, donors can complete their medical history questionnaire online on the day of donation, before arriving to give blood. From mini-health check and donation to free refreshments, most donors can expect the entire process to take only an hour or less.

Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds and older can give independently; there is no upper age limit. Also, people with and without COVID-19 vaccinations are eligible to donate blood. For more on donor eligibility and to set an appointment to breathe new life into the community blood supply, call 800-366-2834 or visit CarterBloodCare.org.

About Carter BloodCare

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. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 450,000 blood products annually to meet hospitals’ requirements for their patients. Services include collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, storage and distribution of blood and blood products. Tu centro de sangre comunitario.