South Texas Blood & Tissue is thanking blood donors with two free Santikos movie tickets while supplies last as the community faces a critical summer blood shortage.
SAN ANTONIO — South Texas Blood & Tissue is partnering with Santikos to thank blood donors with two free movie tickets while encouraging the community to help replenish the local blood supply during a critical summer shortage.
A Summer Thank You for Blood Donors
The call comes as blood centers nationwide report some of the lowest summer donation levels in years. One national organization recently declared only the second national blood supply crisis in its history, citing a four-year low in blood donations on top of increasing demand from hospitals.
From now until Aug. 7, anybody who gives blood at a donor center will receive two Santikos movie tickets and Donor Rewards points that can be used at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Donor Store. All donors must schedule and use promo code MOVIES.
Blood Donations Are Critically Needed
Communities across the nation are struggling with the national blood shortage and are feeling the impact. Following weeks of declining blood donations, the blood supply across the United States, including South Texas, is significantly lower than it should be and is trending downward at a concerning pace.
Patients Depend on Every Donation
Blood donations are essential to keeping hospitals prepared for emergencies and everyday patient care. When blood donations decline, the consequences are felt by patients who depend on life-saving transfusions, such as 3-year-old Caliana.
Caliana was diagnosed with alpha thalassemia major, a rare blood disorder. Since being born, Caliana has needed to receive blood transfusions every four weeks. Because her body cannot produce functional blood, she will need them for the rest of her life.
South Texas Blood & Tissue is urging the community to give blood immediately as summer donations continue to decline. Without the help of more people giving blood, hospitals may have to postpone or cancel upcoming surgeries, treatments, or make difficult decisions about patient care.
Appointments are available now. Schedule your donation at SouthTexasBlood.org/Give or call 833-YOU-GIVE (833-968-4483). Every donation helps patients across South Texas while earning two free Santikos movie tickets through Aug. 7.
Important stats:
- Blood or platelets are needed every two seconds in the United States.
- Donated blood is essential to healthcare systems everywhere, supporting patients during emergencies, childbirth, surgeries, cancer treatment, and other serious conditions.
Frequently asked questions.
How do I donate blood in San Antonio?
Schedule an appointment at SouthTexasBlood.org, bring a photo ID, complete a brief questionnaire, and give!
What do I get for donating blood?
Anyone who gives at a donor center from Aug. 1-7 will receive two Santikos movie tickets as well as donor points that can be redeemed in the Donor Store for gift cards, Spurs swag, and more!
Why are type O blood donors especially needed?
Type O blood is the most common type in South Texas, and certain units of type O can be used in emergencies.
Voice-over:
Give blood, catch a flick and save lives with South Texas Blood & Tissue. Now until August seventh, those who schedule a blood donation will receive two Santikos movie passes. Use code MOVIES when scheduling.
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About South Texas Blood & Tissue: South Texas Blood & Tissue is a nonprofit community blood center that provides blood, plasma, platelets and other blood components to 110 hospitals in 49 South Texas counties. It is the largest blood supplier in the region. Through the generous life-legacy gifts of human tissue, South Texas Blood & Tissue also supports development of tissue allografts for patients in need of reconstructive surgery, repair or tissue regeneration. South Texas Blood & Tissue has a 50-plus years of service to the South Texas community and is part of the BioBridge Global family of nonprofit organizations, which offers services in regenerative medicine and research, including blood banking and resource management; cellular therapy; umbilical cord blood collection and storage; donated human tissue recovery and distribution for transplant; and testing of blood and plasma products to help patients in the United States and worldwide. South Texas Blood & Tissue has nine donor centers in South Texas and conducts hundreds of mobile blood drives each year. Learn more at SouthTexasBlood.org