Sacred Heart Catholic Church Annual Festival to host community drive

RUSK, Texas (April 30, 2019) – One of the main reasons cited for not giving blood is that many others are doing it and my donation is not needed. This is far from the truth in east Texas. According to Carter BloodCare, when it comes to giving blood at a hometown drive, there is almost always room for more. Almost three million people are eligible to give blood with Carter BloodCare and only 200-thousand unique blood donors gave in 2018. The blood program is earnestly inviting the community to be part of a lifesaving mission.

Potential blood donors, ages 16 through 45 are in high demand. If this age span describes you, please make an appointment to give blood this month. Your gift of life will help boost the community blood supply before summer. The typical summer “giving slump” occurs in June, July and August. The good feelings experienced after donating blood will most likely have folks returning to give at least once more this summer.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church's annual festival is hosting a blood drive from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at 760 S. Main St.,Rusk in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Maria Cordoso at (903) 683-1862.

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 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.

Carter BloodCare is an independent, community blood center providing transfusion resources to more than 180 medical facilities in 50-plus counties of 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 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.