ETMC Crockett will host the Carter BloodCare Mobile Unit on
Thursday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. during the
Back-to-School blood drive.
During the spring blood drive held in March, 21 people donated
and organizers hope to top that number during the upcoming
back-to-school event. As an added incentive, ETMC Crockett will
donate a School Supply Packet, valued at $20, to the school
district in which the donor resides.
In addition, individuals who donate blood during the event will
receive points toward various items, including T-shirts from Carter
BloodCare Store and Fox Sports Southwest is offering August blood
donors all kinds of live sports action. Details are available
at www.greatamericangive.org.
Carter BloodCare Donor Recruitment Consultant Belinda Murphy
said, "Summer is here. That's good news for students and teachers
needing a break. But not so good news for the summer blood
supply.
"High school and college blood drives stop for the summer, and
many of our routine donors get busy, forgetting to schedule their
donations. Travel is up, which means accidents are also up, and
more surgeries are scheduled during the summer. Bottom line; summer
blood donors are needed," she added.
According to Murphy, Carter BloodCare needs 130 O-negative
donors to give every single day. Persons with the O-negative blood
type make up only 7 percent of the general population. Murphy noted
that Type O-negative blood is commonly used for emergencies because
any patient can receive it until their own type is known.
Potential blood donors must be at least 16 years old with a
parent's consent and 17 year olds may donate independently.
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general
health. A photo ID is required. There is no upper age limit for
donors, and most medications do not interfere with donor
eligibility.
Carter BloodCare supplies many of the trauma centers in East
Texas, including ETMC Crockett.