(March 22, 2017) - The American Red Cross Serving North Texas announced the addition of a new bloodmobile to its mobile blood collection fleet. The vehicle can collect up to 5,500 donations annually, expanding the ability of the Red Cross to collect blood and coming at a time when the Red Cross is issuing a call for type O negative and AB blood donors to make an appointment to give.
The newest addition to the Red Cross fleet was made possible by substantial support from donors, including the Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, The Hillcrest Foundation and others who wish to remain anonymous.
“The Red Cross is thrilled to add this bloodmobile to our fleet and to continue to make it more convenient for members of our community to give the gift of life,” said Keith Rhodes, CEO of the American Red Cross North Texas Region. “Thanks to our donors’ generosity, our biomedical staff and volunteers now can better support our region as we continue to collect and provide lifesaving blood to patients in need. While all blood types are needed to meet demand, right now the Red Cross is in urgent need of blood types O negative and AB. Please donate at a Red Cross drive soon.”
The new bloodmobile offers an updated interior designed for greater donor comfort, with better climate control and a more open floor plan. Among the new features on the bloodmobile are three health history booths and five reversible donor beds. The reversible beds allow for either a right or left arm donation so donors don’t have to wait for a bed that meets arm preference. Donors can also enjoy TV and movies on monitors installed throughout the bus.
The new blood collection vehicle will be used regularly at blood drives throughout the region. For more information on scheduling a Red Cross blood drive, click here.
Severe winter weather in some parts of the country caused approximately 250 Red Cross blood drives to cancel in March, resulting in more than 8,500 uncollected blood donations. Type O negative blood and type AB plasma are two of the most in-demand blood products by hospitals. Donors can help patients across the country as the Red Cross has the ability to move blood products where and when they are needed most.