Carter BloodCare says the community blood supply officially fell to a crisis level Friday afternoon.
Spokesperson Linda Goelzer said a dropoff in donations is expected during the summer months, but the situation is especially dire this year. Goelzer said, "We just really need folks to put this at the top of their list, to please consider coming out to donate blood."
According to Carter BloodCare, any unanticipated surge in blood needs by a local hospital could deplete the inventory in a matter of minutes. And if a life-saving blood transfusion is needed, there is no guarantee the right blood would be available.
Goelzer said they are making the donation process even more convenient this weekend. "We are extending hours at all of our donor centers for the weekend. Most all of them will have later hours. If you need to check specifically on a donor center, you can go to carterbloodcare.org, put in your zip code and find the one closest to you," she said.
Carter BloodCare has 21 donor centers across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Goelzer said all blood types are currently needed and no appointment is necessary to donate.
