North Texas blood supply has a critical shortage after the winter storm, nonprofit Carter Bloodcare says
Community blood center Carter BloodCare said Wednesday that the winter storm has left North Texas with a critical need for blood donations.
The Bedford-based nonprofit opened on Wednesday morning after it was forced to close donation centers and mobile blood drives for four days due to the icy conditions. The closures left Carter BloodCare 4,000 units of blood and blood components short of what it needs, according to a news release.
Carter BloodCare provides roughly 95% of the blood used in Dallas-Fort Worth hospitals and says it now faces a shortfall of more than 6,400 donations across North, Central, and East Texas, affecting more than 18,000 patients.
"When we had to close Monday... and then Tuesday, we were like, 'oh no,'" said Ashley Claster of Carter BloodCare.
The ice and snow made it unsafe for staff and donors, and the shutdown has created an urgent need. Officials emphasized that every donation matters, particularly O-negative blood, the universal type, and platelets, which must be used within four days.
O-negative blood can be used to treat any patient, and the only type used on premature or unborn babies, Carter BloodCare said.
To encourage donations, Carter BloodCare is offering incentives, including gift cards and sweatshirts.
"It's desperation at this point," Claster said.
The organization urges residents to step forward and help restore the local blood supply before the impact worsens.
"Your one donation can save three lives, it's huge," she added.
Carter BloodCare said all of the blood it collects stays in Texas.
Carter BloodCare has 27 donation centers across the region. Anyone age 16 and older is eligible to donate blood, but 16-year-olds must have parental consent. The only other requirements are that donors weigh at least 110 pounds and feel well on the day of their donation.
The American Red Cross is also reporting a shortage of blood and platelets, with the supply being drawn down by 35% over the past month.
