Open a vein: Pandemic and winter storm have left blood banks empty Low blood supply is a crisis without a backup plan President and CEO of Carter BloodCare, Dr. Merlyn Sayers, is pictured before an empty cooler at their headquarters in Bedford, Texas, Wednesday March 18, 2020. The Center is putting out the word that they have a shortage of blood. "Something like 600 people a day in our community need a transfusion. They can't wait 'til coronavirus has blown over.", he said. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer) The shelves are bare at Carter Blood Center. It’s time for us all to donate.