DALLAS, May 17, 2023 - When every second counts, blood products can provide lifesaving care. Give blood this May, Trauma Awareness Month, to help keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies. Type O- donors are especially needed.
Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type in the most serious situations. It is the blood that is the most used blood type because it can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are often given to trauma and surgery patients. Type O blood donors are ideal Power Red donors, which means they can safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation.
Medical traumas can quickly deplete hospital blood banks. Once patients are stabilized and their blood type is determined, they will receive a matching blood type, so it’s important donors of all types give now and help save lives by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Azle
5/19/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Azle Lions Club, 412 Commerce St., Azle, TX 76020
Dallas
5/18/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of Dallas, 1500 Marilla St., Dallas, TX 75201
5/22/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., White Rock Family YMCA, 7112 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75214
Denton
5/27/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Oak St., Denton, TX 76201
Frisco
5/31/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., ClubCorp - Stonebriar Country Club, 5050 Country Club Dr., Frisco, TX 75034
Irving
5/31/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., ClubCorp - Las Colinas Country Club, 4400 N. O’Connor Rd., Irving, TX 75062
Keller
5/31/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lowe's - Keller, 600 N. Tarrant Pkwy., Keller, TX 76248
Northlake
5/23/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Canyon Falls HOA, 6950 Canyon Falls Dr., Northlake, TX 76226
Plano
5/24/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Clubs of Prestonwood, 6600 Columbine Way Plano, TX 75093
Richardson
5/20/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Islamic Association of North Texas, 840 Abrams Rd. Richardson, TX 75081
Rockwall
5/26/2023: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Rest Haven Funeral Homes, 2500 State Hwy. 66, Rockwall, TX 75087
5/31/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lowe's - Rockwall, 851 N. Steger Town Dr., Rockwall, TX 75032
Southlake
5/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Timarron HOA, 1240 Bent Creek Dr., Southlake, TX 76092
Blood Donation Centers
One of the easiest ways to give is to schedule an appointment at a blood donation center. There are two Red Cross blood and platelet donation centers in the North Texas Region. They are in Irving and Plano.
Irving Blood and Platelet Donation Center
2511 West Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Monday - Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: Closed
Friday - Sunday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Plano Blood and Platelet Donation Center
741 N US-Central Expressway, Suite 1000
Monday - Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: Closed
Friday - Sunday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/northtexas or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossNTX.