Type O blood at less than one day’s supply at South Texas Blood & Tissue
As orders for blood continue to come in faster than donations, members of the San Antonio City Council have announced the “Summer District Challenge” from Aug. 4-12.
Councilmembers will sponsor blood drives with South Texas Blood & Tissue within their districts in a friendly competition to bring in the most donors.
The summer blood supply is at a critically low level, as hospital orders have increased while donations continue to lag. Rapid population growth in South Texas has driven up the demand for blood by 15-20% this year.
During the summer, there are fewer blood drives due to donors being on vacation and the lack of school blood drives. It is among the slowest times of the year for blood donations for South Texas Blood & Tissue, a subsidiary of San Antonio nonprofit BioBridge Global.
All donors who participate in the upcoming drives will receive donor store points redeemable for a summer-themed T-shirt or a $10 eGift card to a store or restaurant of the donor’s choice.
City councilmembers joining in the Summer District Challenge are:
- Mario Bravo, District 1: Gabriella’s Smile Foundation on Aug. 9
- Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, District 2: Claude W. Black Community Center on Aug. 12
- Phyllis Viagran, District 3: Harvey E. Najim Family YMCA on Aug. 9
- Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, District 4: St. Vincent de Paul Parish Center on Aug. 8
- Melissa Cabello Havrda, District 6: Courtyard by Marriott SeaWorld on Aug. 9
- Manny Peláez, District 8: John Igo Library on Aug. 12
- John Courage, District 9: Walker Ranch Senior Center on Aug. 8
- Clayton Perry, District 10: IDEA Judson on Aug. 4
Donors can make an appointment at any of the councilmember’s drives by visiting SouthTexasBlood.org/SAChallenge or calling 210-731-5590.
Blood transfusions are the most frequently performed procedures in U.S. hospitals, requiring more than 33,000 donations per day to meet patient needs. One in seven patients entering the hospital will need at least one transfusion.
