Carter BloodCare: Longtime Relationship with All Saints Benefits Our Region

More than four million Americans would die each year if no one gave blood. Giving blood saves lives, but a very small percentage of eligible donors actually give.

All Saints has a longtime relationship with Carter BloodCare, which supplies blood to more than 200 medical facilities throughout 50-plus counties in north, central and east Texas. To maintain a safe supply, about 1,000 donors from our region must give each day. In the Carter BloodCare region, about 600 to 800 people need a blood transfusion daily and some need more than one unit of blood — for example. a car accident victim could need up to 100 units of blood.

Since 2010, All Saints has held 35 drives collecting 1,220 units of blood. Each unit has the potential to impact three lives — up to 3,660 people have been impacted by the generosity of All Saints donors.

Kelly Zagotta Austin coordinates the blood drives at All Saints, along with team members Rob Hewitt, Mike Havel and Kent Austin.

“All Saints has always been a very generous and charitable community,” she says. “I’m very proud, but not surprised, to say that All Saints ranked second in 2020 blood donations for Carter BloodCare in our region.”

Kelly says she gives as a way to give thanks to God for her good health. Others have commented it is a quick way to make an impact and that giving doesn’t affect their energy level.

“Giving blood is an easy way to make an impact,” Kelly says. “In fact, blood donations are used every single day for both emergency and elective surgeries.”

It’s always important to give blood, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. An added bonus is that all blood is screened for COVID-19 antibodies. A rigorous cleaning regime is followed and social distancing is observed. Rest assured, giving blood at Carter BloodCare blood drives is very safe.

“It is important to give now because locally and nationally, donations are down at the same time the need for blood has risen,” Kelly says. “A lot of people can’t donate due to illness or travel, so the ones that can donate should try to help out.”

According to Carter BloodCare, the vast majority of donors are over age 50. The younger population is not giving as much as the previous generation did — so, it’s important to spread the word on what a gift it is to give blood.

With our familiar All Saints phrase, “help your neighbor” — which comes directly from Christ’s directive to “love our neighbor” — Kelly says anyone who is eligible should consider giving. Anyone over age 17 can give blood. Youth who are 16 years old can give with parental consent. A donor must weigh 110 pounds and feel healthy on the day of donation.