Where to Donate Blood in Dallas

Every day in Dallas, hundreds of patients need blood transfusions to fight cancer, recover from injuries, manage chronic illnesses, and handle childbirth complications. Carter BloodCare alone supplies blood to over 40 area hospitals and clinics. This statistic underscores the constant and critical need for donors in Dallas. Read more at i-dallas. 

This guide explores the urgent need for blood in Dallas, where you can donate, and how to properly prepare for this important process.

How Urgent is the Need for Blood Donors in Dallas?

As of February 2025, the need for blood donors in Dallas was exceptionally high. The American Red Cross issued numerous appeals to residents of the city and surrounding regions, urging them to donate blood and platelets.

Donating blood and platelets is essential for replenishing the supply, which dropped significantly in January 2025. Thousands of scheduled donations were canceled as severe winter storms paralyzed the collection process. These storms not only led to the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives in the Dallas area but also resulted in the loss of over 15,000 units of blood and platelets.

Severe weather events always make it difficult for both donors and medical staff to reach collection centers. They also disrupt the transportation of collected blood to hospitals. Furthermore, in late January and throughout February 2025, the flu and other seasonal illnesses spread rapidly across Texas. This forced many people to cancel their appointments, as donors must be in perfect health. These factors further worsened the shortage of life-saving blood supplies.

As of June 2025, the need for blood donors in Dallas and across Texas remains critical. The American Red Cross continues to call on donors to give blood and platelets.

Where Can You Donate Blood in Dallas?

Donating blood is a profound act of generosity. In Dallas, as in any major city, this process is incredibly important. The city requires a steady supply of donated blood for its hospitals and patients, making every single donation immensely valuable.

Dallas and its surrounding areas have an extensive network of donation centers, each offering convenient opportunities for anyone willing to help. These centers operate with high standards of safety and professionalism, ensuring a comfortable experience for donors. The most well-known and accessible donation sites for residents are the permanent centers organized by key American medical organizations. These facilities offer various types of donations, including whole blood, platelets (apheresis), and plasma. This approach allows for the most effective use of donated materials based on patient needs. The main blood donation centers in Dallas include:

• American Red Cross. This center is part of the American Red Cross regional headquarters for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It serves over 3.8 million residents across Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties. The American Red Cross acts as a key collection point, accepting various types of donations and ensuring their distribution to local hospitals. The center’s address is 2055 Kendall Drive, Dallas, TX 75235.
• Baylor Donor Center. Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the Baylor Donor Center is one of the most active collection sites in Dallas, able to accommodate six donors at once. Because it is located near a large medical complex, it provides a direct link to the patients who need blood. The center’s address is 4201 Gaston Ave., Suite 110.
• Preston Valley Donor Center. The Preston Valley Donor Center is another vital Carter BloodCare location in Dallas. This center is especially popular with residents in the northern parts of the city due to its convenient location. The center’s address is 12829 Preston Rd., Suite 427.

Dallas’s Innovative Program to Boost Donor Diversity

Despite the fact that 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, less than 10% do so annually. This statistic is particularly concerning because the majority of donors are Caucasian, while individuals from other ethnic groups have historically donated far less frequently. A study by the National Institutes of Health found that of nearly 400,000 donations reported by donors aged 16-69, 77% came from white Americans. Black individuals accounted for only 16.3% of donors, Hispanics for 2.3%, and Asians for 2.2%—this is despite white people making up only 59% of the nation’s population.

A diverse blood supply is crucial because blood type is inherited. This means a patient needing a transfusion has a better chance of finding a compatible match from a donor of the same ethnic background. This is especially true for patients with sickle cell anemia, the vast majority of whom are Black Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease affects one in every 365 Black Americans. Patients with sickle cell anemia may require up to 100 units of blood per year to prevent anemia and organ damage. Increasing the number of donors from diverse ethnic backgrounds would significantly improve these patients’ chances of receiving enough blood for their life-saving transfusions.

To address this disparity and raise awareness about sickle cell anemia, a unique initiative was launched in Dallas. In May 2022, the United MegaCare Sickle Cell Blood Drives began. They are the result of a partnership between The Potter’s House Church, the American Red Cross, and United MegaCare. The main goal of this collaboration is to inform the Black community about the importance of blood donation. Through this program, five blood drives have already been held in North Texas.

How to Prepare for Your Blood Donation in Dallas

Donating blood is a noble act that can save multiple lives. To ensure your visit to the donation center is as comfortable and effective as possible, it’s important to prepare properly. The preparation process is simple, but following these recommendations will improve your well-being and ensure the quality of the collected blood.

• Drink plenty of fluids for 24-48 hours before your donation. Water, juice, and non-alcoholic beverages are ideal.
• Eat a healthy, balanced meal 2-3 hours before your donation. The meal should be rich in iron and protein but low in fat. For example, you could eat whole-grain products, lean meat, fruits, and vegetables.
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before your donation. It is recommended to sleep for at least 7-8 hours.
• Wear clothing with short sleeves or sleeves that can be easily rolled up above the elbow. This ensures easy access to the vein and comfort during the procedure.

Sources:

1. https://www.dmagazine.com/healthcare-business/2023/01/why-dallas-is-diversifying-its-blood-supply/
2. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2025/02/11/blood-donations-urgently-needed-in-north-texas-heres-how-to-donate-and-get-a-gift-card/
3. https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/north-texas/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases/red-cross–donors-needed-now-to-build-up-the-blood-supply.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqxiJwslSwg51byYBkI5qWBJGyy5vRnndMN9B6Xb84N3svm-CU_