DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The American Red Cross serving North Texas is adding a new “bloodmobile” to its mobile blood collection fleet. The vehicle can handle up to 5,500 donations a year. The Red Cross was hit hard by severe winter weather in some states, causing them to cancel nearly 250 blood drives, resulting in the loss of more than 8,500 potential blood donations.
“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.
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