With schools out for summer and families preparing for vacations, Carter BloodCare is reminding people to donate blood when they can.

Since high school blood drives account for about 25% of the region’s blood supply, donations typically drop as students go on summer break, said James Black, Carter BloodCare senior public relations specialist, in an email. The demand for blood, platelets and plasma never takes a break though, he said.

“Summer is a crucial time for the local blood supply,” Black said.

Carter BloodCare is partnering with radio station KZPS Lone Star 92.5 to host a blood drive June 12-17, according to its website. During the drive, Carter BloodCare will host mobile blood drives throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area:
  • Fort Worth
  • Las Colinas
  • Allen
  • Plano
  • Garland
  • North Richland Hills
  • The Colony


Anybody who donates at one of the drive locations will be eligible to receive a KZPS blood drive T-shirt while supplies last, according to the event listing.


People who donate June 14 will have a chance to win one of several prizes in celebration of World Blood Donor Day, according to Carter BloodCare’s website. Every person who donates at a Carter BloodCare location that day will receive a scratch-off card for a chance to win prizes, Black said. Prizes include:
  • 300 dedicated donor rewards points
  • $150 Visa fuel gift card
  • $250 Target gift card
  • Bose QuietComfort earbuds
  • Yeti Tundra Haul cooler
  • Traeger Tailgater 20 grill
  • Two Southwest Airlines round-trip flight tickets
World Blood Donor Day serves as a chance to raise awareness of the need for blood and blood products as well as thanking voluntary blood donors, according to the World Health Organization.

Carter BloodCare is a nonprofit operating more than 20 donor centers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including locations in Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Flower Mound, according to its website. The nonprofit also operates mobile blood drives throughout the region.

In addition to being used for emergencies, blood must be readily available for medical procedures, Black said. This includes treatments for major crash and severe trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatments, and more.

Potential donors can learn more about donating blood at www.carterbloodcare.org. Donors can schedule appointments to donate blood, plasma or platelets at any of Carter BloodCare’s locations.


Donors must be age 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health, according to Carter BloodCare’s website.