Titus Regional Medical Center to host blood drive during Sickle Cell Awareness Month*

 

 

Titus Regional Medical Center to host lifesaving blood drive during
Sickle Cell Awareness Month*

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month and Carter BloodCare 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.

*Titus Regional Medical Center* is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. Thursday, September 8, at 2001 North Jefferson in the hospital parking
lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For more information or to schedule an
appointment time, contact Glenda Strain at (903) 577-6111.

Visit carterbloodcare.org <http://www.carterbloodcare.org/givelife/> 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
<http://www.carterbloodcare.org/YouCanHelp/DonorGuidelines> 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
<http://www.carterbloodcare.org/Locations>.

 

 

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