How to help patients impacted by North Texas storms
Carter BloodCare seeks public’s help to replenish community blood supply after destructive storms
DALLAS-FORT WORTH – May 29, 2024 – Severe storms across North Texas have had ripple effects on the community blood supply.
Dozens of people were hospitalized in the aftermath of devastating tornadoes Saturday, May 25. To treat the injured, Carter BloodCare provided hospitals with all available units of O negative blood. The universal blood type, O negative is vital for treating any patient, regardless of their individual blood type. It is also the only blood type used for assisting premature and unborn babies.
A second round of strong storms Tuesday, May 28, caused widespread power outages. This led to delayed openings or temporary closures at Carter BloodCare’s donor centers and mobile blood drives at a time when every second counts in having blood for transfusions.
The nonprofit blood center is urging all eligible donors – especially those with blood type O negative – to help replenish the community blood supply by donating this week. Eligible donors are at least 17 years old – or 16 with parental consent – and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit.
One of the largest blood programs in Texas, Carter BloodCare provides resources to more than 200 hospitals across 57 counties. There is a nonstop need for blood to respond to emergencies and scheduled medical procedures. Blood donors help children fighting cancer, patients with severe burns, mothers going through difficult deliveries, organ transplant recipients and many others.
To find the nearest Carter BloodCare mobile blood drive or donor center, visit CarterBloodCare.org.
About Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare is an independent, community blood center providing transfusion resources to more than 200 medical facilities in 57 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. Tu centro de sangre comunitario.
