The Lampasas community is invited to come help save lives by giving the gift of life at the Lampasas community blood drive with Carter BloodCare on January 7, 2008 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. The blood drive will be held at the H-E-B, 705 S. Key Avenue in Lampasas. A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Lampasas Chamber of Commerce will be held at 3:00 that day to introduce Carter BloodCare to the community.

Beginning in June 2007 Carter BloodCare began providing blood products to patients at Rollins Brook Community Hospital in Lampasas. “Carter BloodCare is proactive about keeping the blood supply strong; and as the new blood services provider in Lampasas and Killeen, we look forward to working with area residents to ensure an ample blood supply for the area hospitals”, said Carter BloodCare Chief Executive Officer Dr. Merlyn Sayers.

Donors who give during January or February will enter a weekly chance to win a $100 gift card to Academy Sports & Outdoors. One Grand Prize winner will receive a membership to a favorite fitness center. See official rules for details. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Ryan Wilson at (512) 556-3461.

Giving blood is safe, convenient and keeps our community blood supply in great shape, which means patients get the blood they need, when they need it. Blood transfusions are a critical part of everyday medicine. Patients receiving organ transplants, cancer therapies and support for sickle cell anemia depend on lifesaving transfusions. Blood is also critical to the survival of some premature babies and some patients undergoing heart or joint replacement surgery.

Carter BloodCare blood donors receive a mini-physical that includes screenings for pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron). Carter BloodCare also provides each donor with the results of blood type and cholesterol at no cost.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Most medications do not effect donor eligibility, even those with well-managed diabetes can be donors. Beginning November 20, 2007 Carter BloodCare is required to have all donors show a photo ID in order to give blood. Acceptible photo IDs for repeat donors are the same as for first-time donors: government issued, employment, school or military-issued.

For more information about donor eligibility, call Carter BloodCare at 1-800-DONATE-4, or visit carterbloodcare.org.

Carter BloodCare is one of the largest community-centered volunteer blood programs in the United States, providing more than 330,000 units of lifesaving blood components for patents. Carter BloodCare’s volunteer donors provide lifesaving blood for patients at over 300 healthcare facilities in 54 North Central, Central and East Texas counties, including Metroplex Hospital in Killeen and Rollins Brook Community Hospital in Lampasas. These facilities include our region’s children’s hospitals, central trauma centers, major cancer centers and transplant centers. Carter BloodCare is guided by a board of directors drawn from local leaders, including medical professionals, hospital administrators and business and civic leaders. Community representation ensures that Carter BloodCare will operate in the best interests of the communities the center is entrusted to serve. Together, Carter BloodCare and community blood donors meet the critical needs of patients.

Carter BloodCare is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and is a member of America’s Blood Centers.