Desperately needed: Your blood donation.
According to Carter BloodCare, the local blood supply has reached a two-year low, with thousands of donors needed to cover the shortfall. The blood currently available is less than enough to cover one day of needs for hospital patients.
Carter BloodCare Director of Lab Operations Doug Heath said, "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. The week ahead shows an estimated 3,000 appointments short of that target. This is a situation that will not go away overnight."
The greatest current need is for all donors with Rh negative blood types (O-, A- and B-).
There is another problem compounding the local blood crisis. The nationwide network of community non-profit blood centers that makes itself available to other centers when shortages occur is currently unable to support the regions of Texas served by Carter BloodCare. That makes the need for local volunteer donors even more crucial.
To donate blood, an individual must be at least 17 years of age, must weigh at least 110 pounds and needs to present a government-issued photo ID. Donor candidates may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent. To schedule a blood donation appointment, please visit carterbloodcare.org. Potential donors can also text or call 800-366-2834 to schedule an appointment.