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Hunt Regional Emergency Medical Center invites the community to save lives at the upcoming blood drive.
‘Tis the season for giving life, giving back.
COMMERCE, Texas (December 7, 2018) – Less than four percent of eligible blood donors, are giving blood. Yet, many of the blood donors with Carter BloodCare make their next appointment before leaving their current donation. During a time of year when blood donation can take a ‘back seat’ to other holiday festivities, volunteer blood donors like those in Commerce make the season bright for hospital patients.
There is no substitute for blood. When a patient’s life is on the line, blood must be ready with only a moment’s notice. About 1,000 volunteer donors, giving blood every day, keep the community blood supply at a safe and sufficient level.
Hunt Regional Emergency Medical Center at Commerce is hosting a blood drive from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm Tuesday (Dec 11) at 2800 TX-24 in the community room. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Kim Saenz at (903) 408-4800.
When you give blood, you can save at least three lives because the blood is separated into several components. Some patients only need one product, like red cells or platelets; or, the patient requires a combination of them in different ratios. The blood helps to ensure chemotherapy patients receive platelets they lack; red cells are available for heart surgery patients; and when a lifesaving donor organ arrives, blood is accessible to surgeons for the operation.
Eat a nutritious meal and drink plenty of water one to two hours before giving blood. Standard eligibility requirements are a minimum weight of 110 pounds, the donor feels well that day and presents a government-issued photo ID at each donation. Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds may donate independently, and there is no upper age limit for giving blood. For more information on donor eligibility and to make an appointment, call 1-800-366-2834 or visit carterbloodcare.org.
About Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare is an independent, community blood center providing transfusion resources to more than 180 medical facilities in 50-plus counties of The North, Central, and East Texas. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 300,000 blood products annually to meet hospitals’ requirements for their patients. Services include the collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, storage and distribution of blood and blood products. The program is accredited by the AABB, including a laboratory with accreditation for molecular testing of red cell antigens. It is licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is a member of America’s Blood Centers.