Humanity is in our blood …
The need for blood never ends, but the amount of blood needed for a stable blood supply can fluctuate; and during these uncertain times, the blood supply can fluctuate dramatically.
The available supply of most blood types is less than what is typically needed by local patients for just two days. For the blood types O-positive and O-negative, which are commonly used in emergencies, there is less than the supply required in one day.
Blood drives have been significantly affected by the pandemic. Social distancing and the resulting remote situations for businesses and high schools have been particularly disturbing. More than 3,000 blood drives have been canceled or postponed, resulting in a loss of more than 20,000 donors so far this year. Plus, 25% of our community’s blood supply is traditionally provided by high school students, and many donations were missed while schools were observing remote learning.
The community blood supply—locally and nationally—cannot seem to stabilize, which means there is not another community blood center from where we can request support. Two issues cause us the greatest concern:
– hospitals are increasing the number of surgeries they can perform due to Governor Abbott’s latest loosening of the restrictions previously placed on them
– there continues to be a shortage of blood drives taking place
In addition, the vast majority of those who even qualify to give blood do not give. Only 4% of all eligible donors give blood regularly. These community drives are one of the ways we educate and attract new donors and keep building a prepared community of blood donors. Without those donors or the opportunity to introduce blood donation as a civic responsibility for our future leaders the impact to our current and future blood supply is immeasurable
We are asking our communities in DFW, East Texas, and Central Texas to please find time to come in to one of our 25 community donor centers and help our area hospitals stay prepared for whatever the rest of 2020 brings.
I have o- blood sand want to donate.
That’s great! For an appointment, call or text us at 800-366-2834 or visit http://bit.ly/CarterBC_DonorCenters.
When will you be in Sulphur Springs?
Hi, Lori — call or text us at 800-366-2834 and we can help you find something coming up in SS, or look on our appointments page (https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/geo).
I am o+ and can donate
That’s wonderful! We can’t make appointments from this platform, but you can call or text us at 800-366-2834 or book your own on our appointments page (https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/geo).
Just got a message to give O type blood I would like to donate my zip code 75081 Phone # 2142131684
We can’t make appointments from this platform, but you can call or text us at 800-366-2834 or book your own on our appointments page! https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/centers
When can I give blood again. I gave near Dallas TX about a month ago at your office on Beltline road in Addison
Dale – you must wait 56 days between whole blood donations. Come back in a month!
Great article and thanks for helping donors to better understand the bigger picture.
I’m in Hattiesburg MS. Is there a location near me where I can donate?
Sherri – we only serve North, Center, and East Texas … we’d suggest giving with the Red Cross! https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html
Whats the peocess to give blood now with covid?
You can read about our precautions here: https://www.carterbloodcare.org/covid-19-and-the-blood-supply/
Sue wood, type o i live in groesbeck where is the closest center
We can’t make appointments from this platform, but you can call or text us at 800-366-2834 or book your own on our appointments page (https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/geo).
I have come in to donate multiple times lately and I keep getting denied for low iron. The most recent time I came in, I missed it by a tenth of a point!😞
Oh no! We do appreciate that you’re trying, but we have to have strict eligibility guidelines to keep the donors safe. Next time, start working some of the items below into your diet.
Best Sources of Iron:
* Red meat
* Liver
* Poultry
* Egg yolk
* Enriched Cereals, breads
* Dark green leafy vegetables
* Dried beans, kidney, pinto, soy
* Dark molasses
* Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, peaches)
You can read more about ways to get your iron up here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/recipes-to-boost-iron/
I I have only donated once through Carter and that was at Terrell high School in Terrell Texas . So I don’t know my donor number. But I can donate in Rockwall on Friday at 1:30. I’m o negative
We can’t make appointments from this platform, but you can call or text us at 800-366-2834 or book your own on our appointments page! https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/centers
Can you give blood if you are pregnant?
We ask that 6 weeks have passed from the birth of your child before you donate with us.
We look forward to seeing you once the 6 weeks have elapsed. Be sure to hydrate well before you donate.
How do I find out my blood type? I think I’m O but can’t remember and can’t remember my information to log in and check from the last time I have blood
We’re welcoming all donors right now! And we can help you find your type if you call 800-366-2834.
I’ve always been a blood donor but Do you have offices in Dallas and if so where? I’m sure you sanitize everything, just concerned because of these times!
We do! Please call or text us at 800-366-2834 and we’ll find a drive or donor center close to you, or you can visit https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/geo to make an appointment yourself.
I’ve given blood a few times to u not sure what my blood type is but I can come in today if y’all can see me to give blood
Jason – we’re welcoming all donors right now! We can’t make appointments from this platform, but you can call or text us at 800-366-2834 or book your own on our appointments page! https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/centers
I have O+ blood but I don’t know if I am still eligible to give blood.
Sylva — you can find information about eligibility here: https://www.carterbloodcare.org/eligibility/
What is the current policy about donating blood if you lived in England in the 1980s with regard to mad cow disease?
While some of the FDA’s eligibility requirements have changed, sadly England was not on that list. You can read more about those changes here: https://www.carterbloodcare.org/fda-releases-new-donor-guidelines/
I’m type O but also a Type 1 diabetic, can I still donate?
Diabetics are eligible to donate if your diabetes is well controlled.
Here is one restriction you may encounter: If you have EVER taken insulin made from British cattle, you could be at risk for mad cow disease. Most insulin is recombinant these days (e.g. made in the laboratory) and would be acceptable. Other insulin has been made from pork. Beef insulin has not been available in the U.S. since 1998.
I am o+ and would like to help would you happen to have any weekend appointments?
We can’t make appointments from this platform, but you can call or text us at 800-366-2834 or book your own on our appointments page (https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/geo).
What measures are you taking to prevent one of your employees from spreading the COVID-19 virus? Are they screened? How often? Equipment that donor may come in contact with such as blood pressure cuffs or keyboards sanitized? What if I don’t want to wait or visit the canteen area? Since this topic is why most folks aren’t donating, might want to address it at the top of your website like just about every other business is doing these days.
We are following all the national guidelines from our industry as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting you, and will continue to do so. We have increased our frequency of cleaning beyond what is required, because we know you expect it. This includes sanitizing the donor beds and surrounding work stations; donor screening areas, our refreshment areas, doorknobs, and waiting area. Hand sanitizer is readily available. Staff and donors are required to wear masks during the donation process. This reflects ongoing changes in guidelines by the CDC and state and local government. A blood drive host location may require additional social distancing and mask requirements for blood drive participants.