TYLER, Texas — Carter BloodCare is in critical need for O negative blood type donors following last weekend's deadly tornado outbreak in North Texas.
According to the National Weather Service, four confirmed tornadoes hit across four counties late Saturday night. Officials said seven people were killed and at least 100 people were injured.
The nonprofit is urging all eligible donors to roll up their sleeves to help treat those injured from those storms, especially those with the universal blood type O negative.
Those with O negative blood make up about 9 percent of the population. People with this blood type are always in demand because their red blood cells are very rare compared to their extensive clinical need, according to Carter BloodCare’s website.
“With the recent tornadoes in North Texas, it put a huge hit on our O negative inventory. So we're raising awareness that following the holiday weekend we need those O negative donors to step up and donate,” said Clint McCoy, mobile donor recruitment and regional operations director for Carter BloodCare.
Each donation only takes an hour and can save three lives.
Those who are interested, there are donation centers in Longview (3080 N Eastman Rd.) and Tyler (815 S Baxter Ave.). Hours for donating can be found at carterbloodcare.org.