A father’s impassioned appeal for blood donations, gratitude for community involvement with the mission of The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation and a boost for new blood donation centers highlighted the 2021 Red and White Ball.
The annual event, held this year in The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, highlighted the importance of the new centers in South Texas Blood & Tissue Center’s efforts to increase the communities’ blood supply.
The stories of seven San Antonians who needed blood transfusions emphasized the need for additional blood donations. Among those were 3-year-old Amy, whose father, Ryan, shared his story of the challenges his daughter faces every day, from leukemia to interruptions in the blood supply.
“I have seen the supply and it is less than I imagined,” he told attendees. “That blood is a lifeline for my daughter, cancer patients like her, trauma victims, and members of our communities who are in dire need.”
Another video featured Amy’s story at home, along with Ryan and his wife Brandi.
The Foundation also honored the Homer Olsen Family with its Chairman’s Award and Frost with the Patron Award, in recognition of longstanding commitment to The Foundation and the community.
With the help of The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation Board of Directors, the Red & White Ball committee, sponsors, and both virtual and in-person attendees, the event raised more than $406,000.
Proceeds from the ball combined with other gifts from the community have provided $685,000 toward a campaign to raise $1.13 million to fund the two new donor centers by the end of 2021.
Gifts are still welcome as South Texas Blood & Tissue Center works toward establishing an adequate and consistent blood supply throughout the region.
The 2022 Red and White Ball is scheduled for Oct. 15, marking the 20th anniversary of the lifesaving mission of The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation.
