October 7, 2022 - BioBridge Global

Emergency need for blood has led to a severe shortage of type O blood

Because of a sudden increase in emergency trauma cases which required substantial amounts of type O blood, South Texas hospitals are ordering more blood, putting a strain on the blood inventory for patients with blood disorders and cancers.

Blood shortages force medical professionals into serious decisions about conserving the available blood supply. South Texas Blood & Tissue, a subsidiary of San Antonio nonprofit BioBridge Global, currently has less than one day’s supply of type O blood.

The entire nation has continued to experience shortages, leaving nowhere to turn for additional blood. Type O blood is in the most demand because it is most often used in emergency situations.

Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those undergoing treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease need transfusions on a regular basis.

Patients like Scott Mussey, who was in a farming accident that required him to receive multiple units of blood to save his life.

“I truly believe in my mind that blood transfusions made a difference in me being alive and here today,” said Scott. “If I didn’t receive blood that quickly, my thought is that I wouldn’t have made it, and if I did make it that I would have a lot more health complications than I do.”

South Texas Blood & Tissue needs the community’s help to fill available vacancies for donor appointments and to host blood drives to meet the local needs.

Blood donations at South Texas Blood & Tissue’s nine donor rooms and mobile drives need to reach 600 a day to meet patient needs and rebuild the depleted supply but are currently less than 400 per day.

“When we don’t have enough blood to send to hospitals, patients may have to wait for treatment and doctors will have to triage care,” said Adrienne Mendoza, COO of South Texas Blood & Tissue. “Donating blood is an easy way to make a huge impact.”

Donors can make an appointment with South Texas Blood & Tissue by calling 210-731-5590 or visiting SouthTexasBlood.org. Same-day appointments and walk-ins are available at the center’s seven donor rooms, as well as at community blood drives. Donors at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent) and in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Veteran scientist has led expansion of BioBridge Global’s research and development capabilities

BioBridge Global announced today that Scott Jones, PhD has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.

Jones, who has been with the San Antonio-based nonprofit biomedical organization since 1999, previously was Vice President, Scientific Affairs. In his new role leading the organization’s growing research and development activities, Jones reports directly to CEO Martin Landon and supervises a team of nine, including seven scientists.

“This promotion recognizes Scott both for the many contributions he has made to building our R&D capabilities and for his strategic thought leadership,” Landon said. “That includes numerous custom assay scientific projects, building the R&D team, and serving as the key technical executive in the Community Labs initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Texas A&M University and a doctorate in microbiology from UT Health San Antonio. He did post-doctorate work at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease, where he was the Director of the TB-RFLP Laboratory.

He has authored and delivered numerous oral and poster presentations at annual meetings for the South Central Association of Blood Banks (SCABB), the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) and the Congress of International Society of Blood Transfusion. He is also an active member of AABB and SCABB.

Jones’ work for the organization has included the development of multiple custom assays and products for applications in regenerative medicine. He also has provided support for clinical trials, especially those requiring FDA approval of assays and equipment.

“Scott serves as a key collaborator with BioBridge Global operating units in developing the organization’s donor-to-patient capabilities in the biotherapies arena, and as a valued consultant for customers,” Landon said.

His expertise includes donor screening, cell and gene therapy testing and analytical development. He was an important contributor to the establishment of BioBridge Global’s cGMP cellular therapy testing services, which include development of potency assays and other applications to support advanced therapies.

“Scott is the epitome of a servant leader who embraces our mission – and who inspires others to aspire to our mission to save and enhance lives through the healing power of human cells and tissue,” said Rachel Beddard, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at BioBridge Global.

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Day: October 7, 2022

Extraordinary demand for blood leads to critical shortages in South Texas

Scott Jones named Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer at BioBridge Global