2026 H-E-B Challenge blood drive supports Texans in urgent need
Iconic Texas grocer teams with Carter BloodCare across 24 cities June 19 – July 19
The 23rd Annual H-E-B Challenge blood drive takes place June 19 through July 19. In partnership with Carter BloodCare, the multi-city event challenges H-E-B team members and the public to donate blood for local patients in need of transfusions.
Employees of participating H-E-B stores will compete to recruit donors, with trophies and bragging rights for teams with the most units collected.
This year’s blood drive occurs at H-E-B locations in Bellmead, Belton, Burleson, Cleburne, Copperas Cove, Corsicana, Crockett, Ennis, Frisco, Gatesville, Granbury, Harker Heights, Killeen, Mansfield, Marlin, McKinney, Melissa, Mexia, Plano, Stephenville, Temple, Waco, Waxahachie and Weatherford.
Carter BloodCare officials say there is a vital need for type O donors. Universal type O negative can support any patient and is the only blood type used to treat premature and unborn babies. The most common blood type – O positive – is used in emergency situations such as traumatic bleeding.
When every second counts, having blood on hand saves lives. A critical shortage could cause hospitals to delay medical procedures until required blood or blood components, such as platelets, are available.
Healthy individuals are eligible to donate at age 16 with parental consent; those 17 and older can donate on their own. Each donor must weigh at least 110 pounds and feel well on the day of donation.
It takes about one hour only to donate blood that can help at least three patients. As a thank-you, Carter BloodCare donors also receive various appreciation items.
Participating in this year’s H-E-B Challenge helps children fighting cancer, people hurt in car wrecks, new moms, burn patients, organ transplant recipients, older adults with age-related health issues, and many others.
For dates and locations, and to pick a convenient donation time, visit CarterBloodCare.org.
About Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare is an independent community blood center providing transfusion resources in 59 counties of North, Central and East Texas to support more than 225 medical facilities. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 450,000 doses of blood and blood components annually to meet the medical treatment needs of local patients. Services include collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, storage and distribution of blood and blood components, as well as cellular therapy and clinical apheresis. Tu centro de sangre comunitario.
