Local blood supply urgently needs community involvement across North, Central and East Texas

Carter BloodCare reports critical need for O negative blood donors to help area patients

DALLAS-FORT WORTH – May 15, 2024 – Carter BloodCare has a critical need for blood type O negative donors across North, Central and East Texas.

Critical status indicates there is less than one day’s supply of O negative blood available for local patients.

O negative is in high demand because it is the universal blood type, meaning it can be used to treat any patient, regardless of their individual blood type. Also, it is the only blood type used to treat premature and unborn babies.

Donated blood is necessary for children fighting cancer, patients with life-threatening injuries from auto accidents or shootings, organ transplant recipients, mothers experiencing difficult deliveries, people living with sickle cell disease, older adults with age-related health issues, and many others.

Without blood at the ready, medical procedures can be postponed. In those situations, patients could have to wait two days or longer until donated units become available.

To support this patient need, Carter BloodCare holds up to 30 mobile blood drives every day across its Texas service area, in addition to the nonprofit’s 25 neighborhood blood donor centers.

To find the nearest Carter BloodCare donation location, visit CarterBloodCare.org or call 800-366-2834.

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. Tu centro de sangre comunitario.