Carter BloodCare seeks to pump the brakes on seasonal drop in blood donations
Eligible donors Nov. 22 – Jan. 7 can qualify for holiday car giveaway, courtesy of Classic Chevrolet
BEDFORD, Texas (Nov. 1, 2021) – Blood donations typically drop over the holidays, but Carter BloodCare plans to steer that seasonal trend in a new direction this year. Eligible donors that give blood with Carter BloodCare from Nov. 22, 2021 to Jan. 7, 2022 will be automatically entered in a “Donate to Win” drawing for a 2021 Chevrolet Spark, courtesy of Classic Chevrolet Fleet and Commercial.
By putting the “drive” in blood drive, Carter BloodCare and Classic Chevrolet are encouraging all eligible donors to support their local communities by giving blood.
Carter BloodCare and healthcare providers across the United States are grappling with the ongoing effects of a nationwide blood supply shortage. Repercussions from pandemic-related closures of key donation sources – including high schools, universities, businesses and places of worship – throughout 2020 and 2021 continue to be felt, leading to a historic drop in the community blood supply. Carter BloodCare officials note they have not seen such a chronic resource scarcity in their more than 30 years of blood industry experience.
“We haven’t seen a blood resource emergency of this type, duration and severity,” said Veronica Moore, vice president of organizational relations at Carter BloodCare. “As a community, we must work together to make sure patients get the blood they need, when they need it. First-time and lapsed donors are urgently needed to help save the lives of Texas patients.”
Moore said those in urgent need of blood include people undergoing cancer treatments, accident and severe trauma patients, expectant mothers, children with anemia, older adults with health issues, people living with sickle cell disease, and organ transplant and surgical patients.
“When we see a need in the community, we believe in stepping up to give back in service to the solution,” said Brad Roblyer, general sales manager at Classic Chevrolet Fleet and Commercial. “That is part of our culture here at Classic Fleet, not only in service to our customers, but to our community.”
Said Moore, “In this season of giving, donors can share a lifesaving gift with patients in need. In less than an hour, you can save three lives and have a life-changing effect on families throughout North, Central and East Texas areas. ”
Blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds can give independently and there is no upper age limit. Donors can complete the medical history questionnaire online on the day of donation, before arriving to give blood. People who have had COVID-19 vaccinations are eligible to donate. Carter BloodCare is also performing COVID-19 antibody tests on all successful blood donations through Dec. 31, 2021.
Carter BloodCare staff and unvaccinated donors are required to wear facial coverings at blood drives or donor centers, except when temperature is taken during screening, or when eating and drinking after the donation. Vaccinated donors are strongly encouraged to continue wearing masks. Carter BloodCare will comply with required mask mandates, as applicable. To find a donor center or blood drive near you, and to make an appointment to save lives, call/text 800-366-2834 or visit CarterBloodCare.org.
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 non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 450,000 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.
About Classic Chevrolet Fleet and Commercial
Classic Chevrolet Fleet and Commercial is a locally owned and operated fleet and commercial car dealership in Grapevine, Texas. They are currently the #1 Fleet and Commercial Chevrolet dealership in the United States, with one of the largest selections in the nation. Box, flatbed, parcel delivery, service crane, bare chassis, the entire Chevy new car fleet and a large selection of pre-owned vehicles are available to commercial and fleet buyers across the nation. Located next to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport at 2501 William D. Tate (Grapevine, Texas 76051), they ship nationwide. With a dedicated service and collision center, Classic Fleet offers competitive pricing for all automotive maintenance needs. For more information, visit classicfleet.com.
