North Texas blood donations urgently needed after sharp drop in supply
The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage after the supply fell 25% in June.
The need is especially crucial for O positive, B negative and platelets.
Carter BloodCare also reports a critical need for O positive and an urgent need for A negative, B negative, O negative and platelets.
Alexis Gonzalez, a spokesperson for the Red Cross North Texas Region, shared how being a blood donor helped save her life.
Donors learn their blood type during donations, and that can be crucial in medical emergencies.
In November 2025 Gonzalez started to experience pain in her stomach that she tried to ignore. But as symptoms persisted she decided to go to the hospital, where she learned she needed a blood transfusion.
“I had never been in a hospital bed before. I was scared because I didn’t know what was wrong with me. All of a sudden, doctors were asking me to make decisions I’d never had to make before,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “When the doctors told me I needed a blood transfusion, my first thought was ‘I know my blood type.’’
Gonzalez learned after an ultrasound, CT scan, colonoscopy and endoscopy, she had three blood clots and was severely anemic.
“Because I was a blood donor, I knew my blood type and confidently told the staff I was B positive. That’s because the Red Cross lets you know your blood type after your first donation, and you can easily see it in the Blood Donor App,” she said.
Gonzales also spoke about the critical role that Latinos play in helping those in need of blood.
About one in seven people coming into a hospital will need blood products, according to the American Red Cross. Around 57% of Hispanics have type O blood, which is the most needed for transfusions, therefore the need for type O is the greatest.
“As a Latina, I realized I had the opportunity to educate my community about why their blood is so needed and that the donation process is safe,” Gonzales said.
Visit redcrossblood.org or carterbloodcare.org to book appointments.
The Red Cross is offering Fandango tickets to anyone who registers to give blood through July 31. Type O positive donors at Carter BloodCare will receive a $50 gift card. All others will receive a stainless steel canteen.
