Blood is not easy to come by, especially this time of year and during a pandemic. However, hospitals continue to order blood products for their transfusion-dependent patients at all hours, when moments could mean the difference between life and death. Carter BloodCare reminds the community that even in the midst of a pandemic, it is still safe to donate blood, and patients count on those donations.

R. L. Turner High School is hosting a drive on February 5th at 1600 South Josey Lane, Carrollton, in the front circle drive on Carter BloodCare buses.

To schedule an appointment, click on the following link and register as a guest.

https://ww3.greatpartners.org/.../drive_schedule/118396

To reduce wait times, appointments are encouraged, and blood donors can complete the medical history questionnaire online on the day of donation before arriving to give blood. This helps manage “social distancing.” Donors and staff are required to wear masks; surfaces are cleaned between each donor.

Carter BloodCare continues to offer COVID-19 antibody testing on successful donations for a limited time. Donors can retrieve their results within one to two weeks through a secure portal on the blood center’s website that donors set up following a donation.

Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds may give independently, and there is no upper age limit for donating blood.

For more information on donor eligibility, you may call 1-800-366-2834 or visit carterbloodcare.org.

For more information about the Turner Drive, contact coordinator Laura Engel at engell@cfbisd.edu.

Hospitals need blood products at all hours; local blood donors help answer the call.