Carter BloodCare preps for millions of soccer fans in North Texas
Blood center issues call for donors ahead of projected event attendance this summer
DALLAS – FORT WORTH (April 27, 2026) – Carter BloodCare is urging the public to donate blood as North Texas prepares to welcome millions of visitors from around the world.
International soccer competitions this summer are expected to draw 100,000 visitors a day – an estimated 3.8 million total – to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Carter BloodCare, one of Texas’ largest blood programs, has spent months planning for any large-scale blood need emergencies around the events.
Having blood on hand saves lives when every second counts. Any critical shortage could cause hospitals to delay medical procedures until required blood or blood components, such as platelets, are available.
Carter BloodCare notes all blood donors are needed, especially type O donors. Universal blood type O negative can support any patient and is the only blood type used to treat premature and unborn babies. The most common blood type – O positive – is used in emergency situations such as traumatic bleeding.
Healthy individuals are eligible to donate starting at age 16 with parental consent; those 17 and older can donate independently. Each eligible donor must weigh at least 110 pounds and feel well on the day of donation. It takes about one hour to donate blood that can help at least three patients. As a thank-you, Carter BloodCare donors also receive various appreciation items.
To find the nearest Carter BloodCare donation location, visit CarterBloodCare.org or call 800-366-2834.
About Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare is an independent community blood center providing transfusion resources in 59 counties of North, Central and East Texas to support more than 225 medical facilities. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 450,000 doses of blood and blood components annually to meet the medical treatment needs of local patients. Services include collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, storage and distribution of blood and blood components, as well as cellular therapy and clinical apheresis. Tu centro de sangre comunitario.
