- Myth: I can’t donate if I have tattoos.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I got a piercing recently.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I’ve just been to the dentist.
- Myth: Blood can be manufactured.
- Myth: Blood donation is painful.
- Myth: Blood is only needed in times of emergency.
- Myth: Donating blood causes my body to start over producing blood cells.
- Myth: Donating blood makes you gain weight.
- Myth: Donating blood takes a long time.
- Myth: Donating blood will impact my ability to do my daily activities.
- Myth: Giving blood will harm me by taking away red cells or platelets that my body needs to function.
- Myth: I can catch an infectious disease by donating blood.
- Myth: I have a common blood type, so you don’t need my blood.
- Myth: Donating blood can harm my immune system.
- Myth: Other people are already giving enough blood.
- Myth: Vegetarians or vegans cannot donate blood.
- Myth: I cannot donate blood because I have diabetes.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I’ve had low hemoglobin (iron) levels in the past.
- Myth: I must make an appointment to donate blood.
- Myth: I should fast before I donate.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood when I’m on my menstrual cycle.
- Myth: Sometimes, needles and other materials are reused.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood because phlebotomists won’t be able to find my veins.
- Who can give blood?
- Where does my blood go?
- Which patients use what blood components?
- What types of photo ID are accepted?
- What tests are performed on blood?
- What is vCJD?
- What happens when somebody tests positive for an infectious disease marker?
- What can I eat to raise my hemoglobin levels?
- Is it safe to receive blood transfusions?
- I don’t have sickle cell anemia, but I carry the trait. Can I still donate blood?
- How will I feel after I donate blood?
- How often can I donate blood?
- How much blood is taken?
- How long does it take?
- Can I donate blood for myself?
- When was Carter BloodCare founded?
- Can people with high blood pressure donate blood?
- Can people who have tested positive for HIV or AIDS donate blood?
- Can gay or bi-sexual men donate blood?
- What is Apheresis?
- How long can blood be stored?
- Are children allowed to accompany a donor to the donation location? Can I bring children with me when I donate?
Representing the Local Community
The local blood supply must reflect the community it serves
Supporting Texas patients in need
Blood donors should represent a vibrant spectrum of ages, backgrounds, cultures and blood types.
Maintaining a safe, readily available blood supply that mirrors the full scope of our community is a vital responsibility for Carter BloodCare. We are dedicated to increasing awareness of this integral mission to best support the health and well-being of patients across North, Central and East Texas.
The importance of compatibility
Because blood type is inherited from our parents, the best blood match for a patient receiving transfusions comes from a donor with a similar heritage. Successful care and recovery depend on transfused units that match a patient’s unique blood needs.
More than 600 different proteins are found on the surface of each blood cell and certain blood group antigens are more frequent in specific ethnic groups. Indicating your ethnicity when you donate helps Carter BloodCare perform tests to determine if you have a unique blood type that can benefit a patient in urgent need.
You can help. Here’s how.
Texans always step up to help a neighbor in need. And, the need for blood is nonstop, as is the need for volunteer donors willing to lend an arm to help their fellow Texans.
Your blood could be the lifesaving match for a local patient waiting now for a transfusion; that may be a child fighting cancer, a parent undergoing surgery, a new mom having a difficult delivery, a grandparent facing age-related health challenges, and many others. Your best-match patient is counting on your support by donating blood.
People in good health that weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood starting at age 16 with parental consent; those 17 years and older may give blood independently. There is no upper age limit. Prospective donors can check their eligibility online.
Invite others to join you in donating blood. You can also host a blood drive to get your business, place of worship, school or community organization involved.
Also, translation services are available at all Carter BloodCare donor centers and mobile drives. Carter BloodCare team members will help connect donors who prefer to communicate in another language with a translator upon arrival.
Find a Carter BloodCare donation location near you or call 800-366-2834 to select a convenient time to donate blood.
Helping the community is an important part of our mission. Keep a lookout for Carter BloodCare around town.
Ask Carter BloodCare
Do you have questions or feedback on this topic? Please let us know.
"*" indicates required fields