North Texas
(2009-11-06)
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Joe Vu decided to donate blood following the shootings at Fort Hood.
Texans wanting to help Fort Hood families and shooting victims have been lining up to give blood. KERA's Shelley Kofler reports that some blood banks are asking donors to delay their contributions.
At a Carter Blood Care Center in Dallas Joe Vu stretched out on a medical couch, extended his arm and shut his eyes tightly so he wouldn't see the needle slipping into his vein.
Nurse: Just squeeze and hold for me
Vu: Ok, I'm not looking
Like thousands of Texans, Joe wanted to do something to help those coping with death and injury following the Fort Hood shooting rampage. So he decided to donate blood on his lunch break.
Vu: It was a tragic thing and they are dealing with so much emotional stress.
Shelley: You just wanted to find a way to help.
Vu: yeah, yeah, yeah.
Carl Brady had never donated blood before. He couldn't think of a better time to give.
Brady: I saw people lining up at the hospital in Temple and I thought I can do that easily
Carter Blood Care says North Texas blood collected before the tragedy was sent yesterday to hospitals treating Fort Hood's wounded. The blood being collected now at its 26 locations in North, East and Central Texas will replenish the supply.
Carter, like other blood centers is asking those who still want ot donate to make an appointment and contribute in upcoming weeks. CarterBlood Care's Wendy Stewart explains that blood has a shelf life of just 42 days. And donors must wait 56 days, a month and a half, before giving whole blood again.
Stewart: Remember how essential those donations are in the upcoming holiday season, schedule that appointment maybe not for tomorrow or the next day but it will be just as valuable and as much needed in the coming weeks.
Joe Vu says he knows the wounded soldiers won't actually get the pint flowing from his veins. But he's thinking of them as he contributes to other Texans whose lives may depend on his donation.
Vu: It's like putting penny in the penny jar. You don't know who is going to get it but you're putting a penny in there. So you are helping out in a way.
Email Shelley Kofler
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