More than 15-million pints of blood are transfused in this country each year. That exceeds 40,000 pints daily. Hospitals in north, central and east Texas are using only a fraction of that amount, but Carter BloodCare still requests 1,000 volunteer blood donors each day to keep pace with local hospital demands.

Blood cannot be manufactured. Donors are an essential part of many health care success stories.

Auto accidents, surgery, cancer treatments, blood loss during childbirth – these are only a few examples of life moments requiring blood transfusions. One in three people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, yet, fewer than one in three people volunteer to give blood.

Local organizers have scheduled to separate blood drive events during the month of August:

Walmart – Aug. 1

The Carter BloodCare bus is scheduled to be onsite at the Canton Walmart location, 603 East Highway 243, from 2-6 p.m. Aug. 1.

Those interested in donating can sign up now at https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/128932. Additional questions can be directed to Lanie Wright at 903-571-9667.

CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Aug. 10

The Carter BloodCare bus is scheduled to be onsite at the Trinity Clinic, located at 18780 Interstate 20 in Canton, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Aug. 10.

Those interested in donating can sign up now at https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/132689. Additional questions can be directed to Sheryl Morris at 903-606-6745.

Officials recommend eating a nutritious meal and drinking plenty of water one to two hours before giving blood. Standard eligibility requirements are a minimum weight of 110 pounds, the donor feels well that day and presents a government-issued photo ID at each donation.

Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-yearolds may give independently; and there is no upper age limit for donating blood.