DALLAS-FORT WORTH – The American Red Cross and Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas are hosting a blood drive in Grapevine on April 16 from 9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. in honor of liver transplant survivor Tina Bartolucci.
In September of 2018, Bartolucci, Keller office manager at Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas (FAANT), was suddenly diagnosed with acute liver failure. After receiving her diagnosis, Bartolucci was told to proceed immediately to the emergency room. Bartolucci’s liver began to decline rapidly and she was informed she would need a transplant within 24 hours to survive. Fortunately, one became available. Over the course of a few days, Bartolucci had gone from being happy and healthy to being on an operating table awaiting the arrival of her new liver.
After the transplant, Bartolucci realized that while her life was saved, that meant a stranger lost theirs.
“While I will never be able to thank that person, I will always be grateful for their gift of life,” said Bartolucci. “After this experience, I am a huge advocate of donating life.”
To express her appreciation, Bartolucci is partnering with her FAANT family in encouraging people to donate blood for patients in need. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. By giving blood, donors can give patients more time with loved ones and the chance to keep on living.
Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas Blood Drive
When: April 16, 2021 from 9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Where: 2421 Ira E. Woods Ave., Suite 100, Grapevine, TX 76051
Sponsor Code: FAANT
To make an appointment to download the free 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 and use sponsor code FAANT.
Health insights for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Plasma from routine blood and platelet donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
How to donate blood
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.