Extreme Heat Hampers Blood Collections

TYLER – Forty-day 100-plus-degree weather is severely affecting Carter BloodCare’s ability to maintain a sufficient blood supply in the 57-county area it serves. According to Carter staff, the current blood supply is well below preferred levels to support patient needs in the community, due in part to the nearly record-breaking stint of consecutive sweltering days.

“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations speak to temperature levels that must be maintained in the environments where we collect blood, including buses, indoor facilities, and also in Carter BloodCare’s 26 donor centers. Individual supplies we use also come with manufacturers’ requirements on what temperature must be maintained while using it,” said Carla Beck, director of operations for Carter BloodCare East Texas.

The heat negatively affects the temperature inside Carter BloodCare’s fleet of buses that sit in the sun for hours during a blood drive, while generators work to maintain a comfortable environment for both donors and equipment. Additionally, at indoor blood drives, companies struggle to maintain a temperature that’s compatible with blood drive regulations as their cooling systems work against triple-digit temperatures. The drives held before noon are more successful than those in the afternoon hours, but seven East Texas blood drives have been stopped early, while others were canceled because the relentless heat made it impossible to maintain regulatory control.

“We’re accustomed to seeing fewer donors during the summer, due to vacations and general ‘busy-ness.’ However, this summer presents additional challenges with record-setting temperatures affecting our operations,” said Bobby Baker, manager of recruitment for Carter BloodCare East Texas. Carter staffers say without additional volunteer blood donors, the blood supply will not be sustainable if the current weather pattern continues.

If you are eligible to give blood, you’re asked to visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org or call 1-800-DONATE-4 to locate the nearest donor center and make an appointment to give blood. You can also use that contact information to determine your own eligibility. All blood types are needed. If you are not eligible to give blood, officials say you can invite someone you know to do so. Carter staffers are additionally asking area businesses that can host blood drives inside to do so.