Billy Bob’s to open for emergency blood drive in response to coronavirus outbreak
Billy Bob’s Texas and Carter BloodCare are teaming up to hold a three-day emergency blood drive calling the need “unprecedented.”
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price made an exception to allow Billy Bob’s to open Friday through Sunday because of the emergency need. People wanting to give blood are encouraged to make an appointment, according to a news release.
The blood drive will be at the 81 Club where there is plenty of space for social distancing.
The blood drive will take place 1-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
There is free parking on the plaza outside of Billy Bob’s, and all blood donors will be directed to the 81 Club. Overflow parking is available in the Billy Bob’s lot across the street on Stockyards Boulevard.
Because of the coronavirus outbreak resulting in schools and universities closing, over 4,000 blood drives have been canceled across the country, and the blood banking industry is facing a “national emergency”.
Linda Goelzer, a spokeswoman for Carter BloodCare, said people who are young and healthy are encouraged to donate.
“A lot of our regular donors are older, and they are not coming out right now,” she said.
Goelzer said Mayor Price is a regular donor, and she is donating Thursday at the Rosedale location to show that it is safe to give blood.
All donors will be asked if they are feeling ill and to disclose if they have symptoms such as a fever. People who feel ill are asked not to donate.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:14 PM.