Carter BloodCare celebrates Hispanic blood donors during National Hispanic Heritage Month
Recognizing the privilege to serve the full spectrum of our vibrant Texas population
Carter BloodCare is recognizing and celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the vital importance of Hispanic and Latino blood donors.
The Hispanic community has the highest percentage of people with blood type O. This gives Hispanic donors the lifesaving ability to help most patients who need blood transfusions.
Blood type O is essential because it can be transfused to any individual, making it the universal blood type. This is particularly important in emergencies, when a patient’s blood type may not immediately be known.
Also, O negative is the only blood type used to treat premature and unborn babies.
It is crucial that the available blood supply reflects the full scope and backgrounds of the entire community. This can ensure appropriately matched red blood cells are on hand to support patients with related, inherited conditions.
A closely matched blood component is needed for patients that require multiple transfusions, like those living with sickle cell disease. The inherited blood disorder occurs in 1 of every 16,300 Hispanic births.
In Texas, Hispanic Americans make up 40.2% (11.6 million) of the state’s population (29.1 million), according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
About National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month — Mes nacional de la herencia hispana — is annually observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States. The celebration honors the extensive contributions, achievements and history of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The observation started as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Twenty years later, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15.
This starting date is significant because Sept. 15 is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
By the numbers
- 68 million: The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 2024, making it the nation’s largest racial or ethnic group, 20% of the total U.S. population.
- 31.2: The median age of the Hispanic population in 2024, up from 30.9 years old in 2023.
- 15: The number of states with 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2024 — Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
Source: United States Census Bureau
Additional resources
Oak Cliff mural illustrates importance of blood donations in Hispanic and Latino communities
National Latino Law Enforcement Organization – Dallas hosts Carter BloodCare drive
About Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare is an independent, community blood center providing transfusion resources to more than 200 medical facilities in 57 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.