Stephens Memorial Hospital, Carter BloodCare to host blood drive on Jan. 8
Stephens Memorial Hospital and Carter BloodCare will host a blood drive in the parking lot across the street from Breckenridge Medical Center, on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The Carter BloodCare Bus will be set up in the parking lot in the 100 block of South Hartford Street.
To sign up in advance, click here.
According to the Carter BloodCare website, all blood types are needed, but there is a critical need for types O negative and B negative.
O negative is the universal blood type, so it can be used to treat any patient, regardless of individual blood type. It is also the only type used to treat premature and unborn babies. B negative blood can be given to patients with B or AB blood types.
Carter BloodCare, a nonprofit blood center, provides transfusion resources to more than 200 hospitals across 57 Texas counties. However, without blood at the ready, medical procedures might have to be postponed, forcing patients to wait two days or longer until donated units are available.
Eligible donors can begin donating blood at 16 years old with parental consent; those 17 and older can donate independently. There is no upper age limit. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and feel well on the day of donation. The entire donation process typically takes less than an hour.
