Supply chain issues impact one of Texas’ largest blood programs
Carter BloodCare appeals to public for platelet donations to help local patients
BEDFORD, Texas (Feb. 13, 2023) – Global supply chain issues have now become a challenge for one of Texas’ leading nonprofits and, in turn, for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions.
Officials with Carter BloodCare said today that its incoming shipments of plastic “quad” bags are being delayed. These resources are used to process whole blood donations into separate components such as red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
Because of the supply chain disruption, Carter BloodCare has a critical need for platelet-direct donations, also known as apheresis platelet donations. Carter BloodCare’s Vice President of Marketing and Operations Support Veronica Moore said the organization “must now collect an additional 30 units of platelets per day to keep up with local patient demands.” The nonprofit blood center provides transfusion resources to more than 200 medical facilities in over 50 counties across North, Central and East Texas.
The center’s supply of transfusion bags for collecting individual units of whole blood or platelets has not been affected. That enables Carter BloodCare to accept platelet-only donations as a temporary solution to the current supply chain challenge.
Platelets are essential for blood clotting and slowing blood loss. Platelets are used to help accident and severe trauma patients, mothers experiencing blood loss during difficult childbirths, organ transplant and surgical patients, and people undergoing cancer treatments.
Eligible donors who typically give whole blood are urged to donate platelets at their neighborhood Carter BloodCare donor center. Unlike whole blood, which can be given every 56 days, platelets can be donated every two weeks.
As a special thank-you, those who donate platelets with Carter BloodCare Feb. 13 – 24 will receive a $25 Target gift card.
In addition, each donor will receive a new quarter-zip pullover, available in sizes M – 3XL, while supplies last.
To secure a time to give, donors can call 800-366-2834 or visit CarterBloodCare.org.
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.
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