Support for patients is in the bag with 20th Annual H-E-B Challenge
Popular Texas grocer teams with Carter BloodCare to help Central Texas neighbors in need
WACO, TEXAS (June 20, 2023) – While blood donations typically drop in the summer, Texas-based H-E-B is stepping up to the challenge to help local patients.
The 20th H-E-B Challenge blood drive kicks off this weekend, running June 24 through July 9. In partnership with Carter BloodCare, the annual multi-city, multi-store event challenges H-E-B team members and the public to donate much-needed blood during the seasonal slump.
Employees of each participating H-E-B store compete to encourage the most blood donors. Stores are grouped into four teams: A, B, O and AB. The top store on each team with the highest number of units collected will receive an award, along with well-earned bragging rights. In addition, an award will be given to the store that has collected the most units between last year’s challenge and the end of the 2023 challenge; these stores commit to hosting blood drives throughout the year.
“For two decades, the H-E-B team has actively supported and given back to the community over and over again by hosting Carter BloodCare blood drives,” said Vickie Carpenter, Carter BloodCare’s Manager of Mobile Donor Recruitment. “This is an important partnership for the health and well-being of our Central Texas community. At this moment, patients are in critical need of the help that is literally within Texans to provide.”
Carpenter said the community blood supply can plummet to critical levels during the summer; this means there is less than a day’s worth of units on-hand. Surgeries and planned medical procedures could be delayed until the necessary blood is available.
By giving blood, donors help patients with severe trauma and bleeding injuries from vehicle accidents, people undergoing cancer treatments, mothers experiencing difficult deliveries, children with anemia, premature and unborn babies, older adults with age-related health issues, and many others.
This year’s goal is 600 units. Each pint of donated whole blood can help save three lives, when separated into three components of red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Thus, 1,800 patients could benefit from the 2023 H-E-B Challenge.
As thanks for giving, each donor will receive a commemorative 20th Annual H-E-B Challenge T-shirt, while supplies last. Also, those who donate Monday, July 3, or Friday, July 7, will receive 1,200 bonus points in Carter BloodCare’s Dedicated Donor Rewards online store, enough to earn a $20 e-gift card.
This year’s H-E-B Challenge blood drives will be held at H-E-B stores in Belton, Burleson, Cleburne, Copperas Cove, Corsicana, Ennis, Gatesville, Granbury, Harker Heights, Killeen, Marlin, Mexia, Stephenville, Temple, Waco, Waxahachie and Weatherford.
For dates and locations, and to set a time to donate, visit CarterBloodCare.org or call 800-366-2834.
About Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare is an independent, community blood center providing transfusion resources to more than 200 medical facilities in 50-plus counties of North, Central and East Texas. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 440,000 blood products annually to meet hospitals’ requirements for their patients. Services include collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, storage and distribution of blood and blood products.
