Carter BloodCare honored by Dallas County Commissioners
Commissioner Elba Garcia presents National Blood Donor Month resolution
DALLAS (Jan. 10, 2023) — The Dallas County Commissioners Court passed a resolution recognizing January as National Blood Donor Month and honoring Carter BloodCare’s more than 70 years of service providing lifesaving transfusion resources.
The resolution was presented by Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia and read into the record at the court’s public meeting Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Dr. Garcia, a longtime blood donation advocate and Carter BloodCare donor, noted that January is typically a difficult season for blood collection and a time for all eligible donors to support the community.
“Donating blood is a matter that unites us all as human beings from coast-to-coast,” the commissioner said. “We encourage donors from all diverse communities to donate. This will ensure an abundance of supply ready for all patients and the certainty that there will always be compatible blood product for all circumstances. Timely access to safe blood and blood products is essential.”
Dr. Frances Compton, Carter BloodCare’s Medical Director of Patient Services, spoke before the civic leaders and attendees.
“Blood transfusions help our Dallas County neighbors who are fighting diseases such as cancer and sickle cell, older adults with age-related health issues, mothers experiencing difficult deliveries, and patients undergoing open-heart surgeries and organ transplants,” Dr. Compton said.
National Blood Donor Month raises awareness of the urgent need for more donors, while also celebrating and thanking those who consistently give to save lives.
Since proclamation of the first National Blood Donor Month in January 1970, much has changed, but the need for lifesaving blood remains constant.
Despite this constant need, Dr. Compton mentioned, only 3% of Americans donate blood, even though 62% of the U.S. population is eligible.
In connection with the January resolution, officials with Dallas County and Commissioner Garcia’s team are doing their part to support the community blood supply. The Office of Commissioner Elba Garcia will host two Carter BloodCare blood drives this month. The first takes place Monday, Jan. 30, at the Oak Cliff Government Center and the second occurs Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Dallas County Records Building in downtown Dallas. Both drives are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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.
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