Urgent need for local blood donors
When Texans feel under the weather, it takes a toll on the blood supply.
Blood donations drop each winter when seasonal illnesses strike, making the need even greater.
Health officials with Texas-based Carter BloodCare said that, without available blood, surgeries and medical treatments can be delayed two days or longer. This impacts children fighting cancer, new mothers with pregnancy complications, older adults with health challenges, organ transplant recipients and many others.
However, the solution is as simple as lending an arm to help.
Blood donated with Carter BloodCare stays local to treat Texas patients.
Eligibility to donate blood begins at age 16 with parental consent. Those 17 and older can donate independently with Carter BloodCare. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and feel well on the day of donation.
As a thank-you for donating, through Feb. 28, each Carter BloodCare donor will receive a limited-edition sweatshirt, in honor of the blood center’s 75th anniversary.
Also, donors with type O negative blood get a $50 e-gift card to the retailer of their choice. O negative is the universal blood type to support any patient, including premature and unborn babies.
For details and to set time to donate, visit CarterBloodCare.org or call 800-366-2834.