The Crater Rally is Hosting a Blood Drive

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month and Carter Blood Care recognizes the hundreds of patients living with sickle cell disease (SCD) who are treated in area medical facilities. SCD patients require frequent blood transfusions to continue healthy, productive lives. Without a generous community of volunteer blood donors to give blood, these patients would suffer debilitating pain episodes, infections and even strokes. Their lifespans could also be greatly reduced.

A sickle cell patient may be transfused monthly for life, with adults requiring as many as ten to twelve pints of red blood cells at each transfusion. Frequent blood transfusions provide maximum benefit to the patient when the blood type administered comes from a donor of similar racial or ethnic makeup. The patient is less likely to develop antibodies to the donated blood. Greater participation in blood donation by African Americans could significantly benefit sickle cell patients in north, central and east Texas. Ninety-five percent of sickle cell patients are African American. Whatever the blood type – Carter BloodCare needs to see 1,000 blood donors daily to serve the needs of all patients.

The Crater Rally is hosting a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at 1039 FM 1798 West in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Belinda Murphy at (903) 574-4513.

Visit carterbloodcare.org and click ‘give life’ to hear personal stories about lives affected by blood transfusions. Additionally, share a personal experience of your own by emailing Carter BloodCare at TellUsYourStory@carterbloodcare.org.

Remember to eat a nutritious meal and drink plenty of water at least an hour before giving blood. All donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well on the day of donation, and present a government issued photo ID each time they give blood.

Potential blood donors may volunteer beginning 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 and to make an appointment, call 1-800-366-2834 or visit carterbloodcare.org.