Severe winter weather has created a significant need for blood donations in North Texas after forcing many donor centers and blood drives to close for several days.
The big picture
The national blood supply remains at critically low levels, a shortage worsened by the effects of severe winter weather across the country, according to a news release from the American Red Cross, which canceled approximately 450 blood drives over the weekend.
In North Texas, Carter BloodCare closed all donor centers and mobile blood drives for four days, from Jan. 24-27, due to the weather and hazardous travel conditions. The Bedford-based nonprofit operates 26 donor centers throughout North, Central and East Texas, with the majority in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
“That meant four days that we weren’t able to collect any blood donations,” said James Black, Carter BloodCare’s senior public relations specialist. “That put us down about 4,000 units of blood and blood components that would be for the local supply.”
A closer look
Carter BloodCare's donor centers reopened Jan. 28, but the mobile blood drives remain on hold out of caution for travel conditions, Black said. In addition to the loss of donations, the inclement weather also created a higher demand for blood that strains the existing supply.
Some surgeries and medical treatments were postponed during the winter storm and are picking up now that the weather is clearer, Black said, creating additional need on top of already-scheduled procedures and day-to-day emergencies.
“Fortunately the light at the end of the tunnel is that there is a solution, and that solution is just everyone getting out and donating blood,” Black said.
Next steps
All blood types are critically needed, Black said, but particularly universal blood type O negative and platelet donations. As an incentive, Carter BloodCare will give each whole blood O negative donor, double red O negative donor and platelet donor a gift card of their choice.
Individuals who are eligible to donate can find their closest donor center and make an appointment online, although Black said walk-ins are also welcome.
The Red Cross also promises a $20 gift card to all individuals who donate through Feb. 28. The Red Cross will host regular blood drives around the region, including stops in Plano, Richardson and Prosper, and also operates two donation centers that are open every day:
- Irving Blood and Platelet Donation Center: 2511 W. Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Irving
- Plano Blood and Platelet Donation Center: 741 Central Expressway, Ste. 100, Plano
“This is a good time to really do something that will help the entire community,” Black said. “As a lot of our donors and blood recipients say, you never know when the person who needs blood is going to be you.”
