Day: January 30, 2025

Blood donors get a western-themed T-shirt and two tickets to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Fairgrounds

Saddle up, San Antonio! South Texas Blood & Tissue is partnering up with radio station Y100 to give donors tickets to the 2025 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Fairgrounds.

This partnership is part of the ongoing effort to support local blood supplies and ensure that patients in need receive the care they need.

Patients like 10-year-old Cathryn, who was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia and p-ANCA microscopic polyangiitis, the first pediatric case to ever be reported. That means Cathryn has a very low platelet count in her blood. Platelets are tiny cells fragments in blood that help clotting, and the body’s natural way to help stop bleeding. Too few platelets put Cathryn at risk for losing too much blood if she is injured.

Cathryn currently is undergoing chemotherapy to help her combat the illness and get her platelet levels up.

Without the generosity of blood doors, Cathryn wouldn’t be able to receive the treatment needed to help her keep fighting.

Donate blood at Wonderland of the America’s Mall on Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. to score

• two San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo fairgrounds passes
• a limited edition “Saddle Up, Save Lives” T-shirt

This special offer is one day only, so call 210-731-5590 or visit SouthTexasBlood.org/y100 to tie down your appointment.

Whether you’re a rodeo regular or a first-time attendee, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. So, saddle up, roll up your sleeves, and help save lives on Jan. 31. We’ll see you for a day of giving, gratitude, and rodeo fun! Yee-haw!

Saddle Up & Save Lives Blood Drive:

• Date: Jan. 31
• Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Location: Wonderland of the Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio
• Call 210-731-5590 or visit SouthTexasBlood.org/y100 to secure an appointment.

The relocated Southeast Donor Center officially opened its doors to the community on Jan. 14.  

Our new facility has the capacity to receive and schedule up to 62 donors and appointments a day.  

It was possible thanks to the generosity of the Greehey Family Foundation, represented by Julie Bedell, Cheryl and Lesley Greehey at the opening ceremony. The Foundation donated $50,000 to the remodeling of the building. 

The official ribbon-cutting was a partnership between the South Texas Business Partnership and South Texas Blood & Tissue. As members of SOTX, South Texas Blood & Tissue is dedicated to helping bolster the Southside of San Antonio. Rebecca Viagran, CEO of South Texas Business was present to offer support for the new facilities. 

The mural showcased in the lobby was created by Cristina Sosa Noriega, a local artist who understands the city’s culture. The mural depicts actual donors and recipients who have come through our doors, including Robb Elementary survivor Mayah Zamora and one of her donor heroes, 17-year-old Adrianna Garcia. 

Other local dignitaries on hand were District 4 Councilmember Adriana Rocha Garcia, and longtime blood donor Sylvia Enriquez. 

Sylvia is a loyal donor at the Southeast Donor Center. In 2023, Sylvia was recognized at our Heroes in Arms anniversary event, where she met Mayah Zamora. Sylvia also was one of Mayah’s lifesaving donors.  

As Sylvia shared her donor journey, she began crying – days before the catastrophe, Sylvia had donated at the Southeast Donor Center. Her donation literally saved Mayah’s life.  

“I never met any of my recipients that I had donated to in the past,” Sylvia said. “I became very emotional and accepted the invitation. We greeted each other and I remember I thought, ‘oh, no, my emotions’ – just knowing that blood donation helped saved her life.” 

Sylvia encourages everybody to go out and be blood donors.  

“Your blood matters and it gives the life to be out given to someone out there,” she said.  

Schedule your donation at the new Southeast Donor Center by visiting SouthTexasBlood.org.