• English
    • Español
  • Login
Drive Coordinator
  • Log In
Carter BloodCareCarter BloodCareCarter BloodCareCarter BloodCare
  • Donate Blood
    • Blood Donation Process
    • Give Blood Today
    • Eligibility
    • Events
  • Blood Facts
    • Blood Types
    • Types of Donations
    • Blood Use
    • Cholesterol
    • Glossary
  • About Us
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Newsroom
    • Contact
  • Programs
  • You Can Help
    • Donor Guideline FAQs
    • Financial Donation
    • Book a Blood Drive
  • Hospital Partners
  • Give Life
  • Blog
Carter BloodCare Blog
NextPrevious
urgent_blog header

Blood Supply Suffers As Pandemic Wears On

By Carter BloodCare | 39 comments | Time Sensitive | 25 September, 2020

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.

Make your appointment today by calling/texting 800-366-2834 or scheduling online.

No tags.

Carter BloodCare

More posts by Carter BloodCare

Related Post

  • 1-CBC-0103-COVID-Blog-Header

    COVID-19 and the Blood Supply

    By Carter BloodCare | 25 comments

    We thank you for your interest in donating blood and helping your community. A few eligibility requirements are important to know about during COVID-19. Donation eligibility during COVID-19 You cannot donate if you are inRead more

  • Give with Confidence

    By Carter BloodCare | Comments are Closed

    Your safety is our priority. Here are guidelines and practices in place to create a safe donation experience:

  • 1-CBC-0110-PlasmaCOVID-Blog-Header

    Plasma Donations for Treating COVID-19 (Convalescent Plasma)

    By Carter BloodCare | 0 comment
    ¿Superaste el Covid-19 y estás interesado(a) en donar plasma para ayudar a pacientes de Covid-19? Has clic aquí para información en español. Plasma collected from recently recovered COVID-19 patients can provide hope to those whoRead more

  • Grand Prairie Donor Center Remodel

    By Carter BloodCare | 0 comment

    Pardon our progress! Our Grand Prairie donor center is receiving a well-deserved remodel to better serve our dedicated blood donors. Although construction on the donor center itself begins on Mon., Jan. 11, 2021, we willRead more

  • January_Mavs Whataburger_Blog Header

    Whataburger and The Dallas Mavericks thank you for giving blood!

    By Carter BloodCare | 2 comments

    What a donor!   The start of the new year has us all looking forward to and preparing for the days ahead. A great way to help the community stay prepared is by giving blood.Read more

  • NBDM_ProudDonor820x312_1_png

    Commit to donate blood in 2021

    By Carter BloodCare | 2 comments

    January is National Blood Donor Month (NBDM), a month that is dedicated to honoring the generosity and selflessness of volunteer blood donors and to encouraging new donors to join the cause.   During NBDM, weRead more

  • Mavs_Marketing Webpage Image

    #Give For Life with the Dallas Mavericks

    By Carter BloodCare | 2 comments

    Join us at the 10th annual Dallas Mavericks blood drive, Dec. 27th   This year has taught us all the importance of being prepared. Every time you donate blood you help our community stay prepared.Read more

  • _1080x1080

    ¡Donantes de Carter BloodCare podrían empezar el año con auto nuevo!

    By Carter BloodCare | 3 comments

    Donantes que donen sangre entre el 1ero de diciembre del 2020 y el 10 de enero del 2021, serán premiados como nunca. Gracias a la generosidad de nuestro amigo de la comunidad, el Thompson GroupRead more

  • 121320-123120_Holiday Meal Voucher_Blog Header

    Making time to give for the Holidays.

    By Carter BloodCare | 6 comments

    Making time to give blood during the holiday season can be a challenging task. We are so grateful for those donors who are able to do so. As a token of our appreciation any donor thatRead more

39 comments

  • Jasmine Reply September 30, 2020 at 12:06 am

    I have o- blood sand want to donate.

    • Carter BloodCare Reply September 30, 2020 at 12:08 am

      That’s great! For an appointment, call or text us at 800-366-2834 or visit http://bit.ly/CarterBC_DonorCenters.

      • Lori Humphrey Reply September 30, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        When will you be in Sulphur Springs?

        • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:49 am

          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).

      • Jamie l Hillsman Reply September 30, 2020 at 2:54 pm

        I am o+ and can donate

        • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:44 am

          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).

      • Shirley Chang Reply October 1, 2020 at 8:59 am

        Just got a message to give O type blood I would like to donate my zip code 75081 Phone # 2142131684

        • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:26 am

          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

  • Dale Montross Reply September 30, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    When can I give blood again. I gave near Dallas TX about a month ago at your office on Beltline road in Addison

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:46 am

      Dale – you must wait 56 days between whole blood donations. Come back in a month!

  • Brian Reply September 30, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    Great article and thanks for helping donors to better understand the bigger picture.

  • Sherri Wade Reply September 30, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    I’m in Hattiesburg MS. Is there a location near me where I can donate?

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:43 am

      Sherri – we only serve North, Center, and East Texas … we’d suggest giving with the Red Cross! https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html

  • Jamal Perkins Reply September 30, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    Whats the peocess to give blood now with covid?

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:39 am

      You can read about our precautions here: https://www.carterbloodcare.org/covid-19-and-the-blood-supply/

  • Patricia wood Reply September 30, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    Sue wood, type o i live in groesbeck where is the closest center

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:37 am

      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).

  • Tiffany Batchelder Reply September 30, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    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!😞

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:37 am

      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/

  • Julie Maxwell Hill Reply September 30, 2020 at 9:21 pm

    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

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:27 am

      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

  • Krista Smith Reply October 1, 2020 at 9:42 am

    Can you give blood if you are pregnant?

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:26 am

      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.

  • Jaclyn Good Reply October 1, 2020 at 11:36 am

    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

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:25 am

      We’re welcoming all donors right now! And we can help you find your type if you call 800-366-2834.

  • Cathy Reply October 3, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    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!

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:23 am

      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.

  • Jason rudolph Reply October 7, 2020 at 11:22 am

    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

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 8, 2020 at 12:08 am

      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

  • Sylva Cohen Reply October 10, 2020 at 6:14 pm

    I have O+ blood but I don’t know if I am still eligible to give blood.

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 15, 2020 at 11:13 am

      Sylva — you can find information about eligibility here: https://www.carterbloodcare.org/eligibility/

  • Philbert Reply October 10, 2020 at 11:13 pm

    What is the current policy about donating blood if you lived in England in the 1980s with regard to mad cow disease?

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 15, 2020 at 11:12 am

      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/

  • Amy Reply October 11, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    I’m type O but also a Type 1 diabetic, can I still donate?

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 15, 2020 at 11:12 am

      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.

  • Diana Reply October 13, 2020 at 11:52 pm

    I am o+ and would like to help would you happen to have any weekend appointments?

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 15, 2020 at 11:09 am

      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).

  • Edsel Harrell Jr Reply October 19, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    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.

    • Carter BloodCare Reply October 30, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      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.

Leave a Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NextPrevious

Social Icons

Recent Tweets

  • Recent Post
  • Popular Post
  • January 15, 2021
    Give with Confidence
  • January 6, 2021
    Plasma Donations for Treating COVID-19 (Convalescent Plasma)
  • January 5, 2021
    Grand Prairie Donor Center Remodel
  • January 1, 2021
    Whataburger and The Dallas Mavericks thank you for giving blood!
  • December 31, 2020
    Commit to donate blood in 2021
  • May 1, 2016
    The Significance of Being Rh Negative or Rh Positive
  • December 22, 2014
    My Blood Type is AB+
  • November 5, 2014
    What To Do After You Donate
  • July 11, 2016
    Do You Know the Tests Your Blood Goes Through?
  • April 13, 2016
    How Alcohol Affects Your Blood

ABOUT US

With origins in the 1950s, Carter BloodCare is one of Texas' largest blood centers, providing 300,000 units of life-saving blood and blood components to patients in North, Central, and East Texas annually.

NEWSLETTER

Stay connected with the latest information from Carter BloodCare in your local community.

Information

  • Glossary
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Glossary
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright 2020 Carter BloodCare | All Rights Reserved
  • Donate Blood
    • Blood Donation Process
    • Give Blood Today
    • Eligibility
    • Events
  • Blood Facts
    • Blood Types
    • Types of Donations
    • Blood Use
    • Cholesterol
    • Glossary
  • About Us
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Newsroom
    • Contact
  • Programs
  • You Can Help
    • Donor Guideline FAQs
    • Financial Donation
    • Book a Blood Drive
  • Hospital Partners
  • Give Life
  • Blog
Carter BloodCare