Critical alert for blood

Dallas—Texas-based Carter BloodCare issued a critical alert for O negative and B negative blood donors ahead of the year-end holiday rush.

There is less than a day’s supply of these blood types available, which led to Carter BloodCare’s critical-level alert. The nonprofit blood center provides transfusion resources to more than 200 hospitals across 57 Texas counties.

However, without blood at the ready, medical procedures can be postponed, forcing patients to wait two days or longer until donated units are available.

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.

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.

To find the nearest Carter BloodCare location, visit CarterBloodCare.org or call 800-366-2834.

SOURCE Carter BloodCare