Carter BloodCare Supports Firefighters

TYLER — September is Firefighter Appreciation Month, and throughout the period, Carter BloodCare offers the community an opportunity to say thank you to firefighters through blood donation. Donors will be given the opportunity in September to donate the Life Plan credit they receive for donating blood to the fire department of their choice. Those Life Plan credits can then be used, within the year, by that fire department to assist should anyone from their department need blood or blood product. Blood drives will be hosted at the Tyler Donor Center as well as at several Smith County fire stations throughout the month.

A press conference was held Tuesday at Carter BloodCare’s Tyler Donor Center to kick off the month-long campaign. In attendance were Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, Tyler Fire Chief Neil Franklin, Carter BloodCare staff, and Fire Chiefs from surrounding fire departments.

According to press information, the Carter BloodCare Life Plan assures blood donors that they will receive financial assistance toward uninsured blood product fees if they or their immediate family members require blood transfusions within 12 months of their donation. The Individual and Family Life Plan offers up to $1000 credit toward uninsured blood product fees for the donor and the donor’s tax dependents. The Group Life Plan allows donors to donate an individual credit to a group of their choosing, while still maintaining their Individual Plan. That donor group receives a $10 credit, valid for one year for every registered donor. The donor group can then assign those credits as necessary to those within the group who need them to assist with the cost of used uninsured blood product. You can visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org for more information about Carter BloodCare.