Many blood banks around the globe are facing a “Critical Need” for blood donations. Carter BloodCare, one of Texas’ largest blood centers, is in desperate need of regular donations to keep up with the demand of the area it services. For every one pint donated, three lives can be saved.
STRATA hosted Carter BloodCare’s donation bus on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, and was able to contribute a total of 17 blood donations – potentially impacting 51 lives in our community!
ONE HOUR = A LIFE SAVED
Carter BloodCare has put several incentives in place, known as Dedicated Donor Rewards, to help encourage more donations. They also strive to educate people on the importance of donating blood by sharing the stories of actual recipients.
Did you know the donation process takes less than an hour to complete? That’s time well spent saving lives – like that of Mary and her 13-month-old daughter, who shared their story on Carter BloodCare’s website. This is just one of many stories that demonstrate the never-ending demand when it comes to blood supply:
“Our 13-month-old daughter was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in May 2022 and our world was devastatingly turned upside down. We have been hospitalized since then while she undergoes aggressive chemotherapy. The cancer and chemotherapy have caused her blood counts to drop to dangerous levels at times. Without the lifesaving blood and platelet transfusions, our baby would not be with us here today. To date, she has received seven whole blood and four platelet transfusions, with many more in her future as we await bone marrow transplantation. We are going to spend the rest of our lives trying to repay the generosity of the donor blood she has received to save her life.” – Mary H.
For those who are interested in learning more about blood supply levels and which types are needed most in their communities, Carter BloodCare has an up-to-date chart where you can view blood supply stats on their website.
BECOME A HERO LOCALLY
If you are looking to spread awareness, host a blood drive, or simply volunteer, you have many options to get involved. Individuals looking to donate can schedule a time at a donation center of their choice. Those that are interested in hosting a blood drive can connect with the blood bank of their choice to find out the details. Learn more about Carter BloodCare, their lifesaving mission, and the Texans they serve.
