For sisters Kami and Kyra, growing up means living with sickle cell anemia, a chronic blood disorder that affects one in 365 African-Americans.
Kami, 17, enjoys sports, dancing, and volunteering for civic organizations at school while Kyra, 15, loves listening to music and watching funny videos on YouTube.
But they also live with severe pain, fatigue, malaise and frequent hospital visits for blood transfusions.
“It affects everything,” said Dana, the sisters’ mother. “It affects their school. Their bodies. Something that you’re not always told is how it affects you emotionally.”
The sisters need regular blood transfusions every 3-8 weeks to cope with their fatigue and pain. You can help patients like Kyra and Kami by donating blood!
“The thought of my children not having blood when they need it is scary. Blood donations save lives every single day.”
Before you give blood, we ask you to eat iron rich meals the evening before and morning of your donation, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep.
Save time when you donate by filling out your questionnaire the day of your donation with Donor Doc Advance.
When you arrive to give blood, you will be asked to show a picture ID. If you didn’t complete your health history questionnaire online through Donor Doc Advance, you will complete a questionnaire on site.
If you’re able to donate blood, you will have a mini-physical where vital signs will be checked, such as pulse, temperature, blood pressure and iron levels.
If you pass the screening, a donor care specialist will guide you to a donor bed. They will swab your arm inside the elbow and insert a sterile needle into a vein. About a pint of blood is drawn (for a whole blood donation) and a bandage is put on your arm.
After your donation, spend 10-15 minutes enjoying a snack and drink. Don’t forget to schedule your next appointment.
Thank you for donating!
Have questions? Visit our blood donation page for more information.
We have eight lifesaving donor rooms conveniently located in San Antonio, New Braunfels and Victoria as well as mobile blood drives across South Texas.
Donations by appointment only.
To schedule at a donor room, click a pin on the map or click the button below to find a blood drive.
For more than 45 years, the nonprofit South Texas Blood & Tissue Center has focused on a critical purpose: to save and improve lives.
Inspired by a group of physicians, our organization was formed to provide blood to the South Texas region – ensuring a safe and adequate blood supply through proper testing, storage and distribution to hospitals. This essential service allows front-line workers to focus on the direct care of patients, with confidence that this lifesaving resource will be there when it’s needed most.
But we didn’t stop there. Over the years, we’ve evolved as the needs of our patients and hospitals have changed, driven to save lives in as many ways as possible.
We couldn’t do this without donors like you. We understand that the gift of donation is a personal, powerful choice that has the potential to touch a life. Today, we offer many ways to make a difference that include:
Our team has also expanded its programs, partnering with leaders within the healthcare industry to develop a wide range of therapies.
