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Blood banks in urgent need of donors during pandemic

Posted at 10:46 PM, Apr 06, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-07 13:40:24-04

Blood banks across Central Texas are still open and working to fulfill a need. Carter BloodCenter says the need for blood is never over and with the coronavirus pandemic, they are making sure to take extra precautions.

"We are doing a lot of extra cleaning, and we are now allowing donors and staff to wear masks," said Linda Goelzer, Director of Carter BloodCenter.

Goelzer says blood banks are essential and suggest people to make appointments instead of walking-in to donate. Doing so will allow staff to spread out appointments and maintain social distancing.

Monique Colean has been donating blood since 1990 and says she noticed how clean the facility was after she came for her appointment.

"I know we are in a different place right now, pretty much a lock down, but the facility is very clean and I'm not by anyone other than the nurse that takes the blood," said Colean.

She says the need to donate is important to her.

"It's important to give back to the community and the feeling and knowing that I am doing something to help someone else possibly live a little longer is important to me."

For any questions, visit Carter BloodCare's website.

In Bell County, the need for blood is also major. Baylor Scott and White Blood Center is asking the community to continue donating if you are well and able.

For the safety and convenience of donors and staff, and in compliance with Bell County shelter-in-place, they are asking the community to schedule their appointments online or call 254-724-4376. In line with the new patient and visitation policy in place for COVID-19, all visitors will be pre-screened at entrance points before entering the hospital.

Their two locations are as follows:

The Baylor Scott & White Blood Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The donor center on the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple campus is located in room S115, across from the McLane Dining Room.

A closely-monitored mobile unit will also be stationed daily in the North Tower parking lot of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple beginning March 18. This may offer a more convenient location for community members.

For any questions, visit Baylor Scott & White online.