Donors can choose Halloween T-shirt when they donate blood in October
No tricks: You really can save three lives when you donate blood, but only 3% of the population that is eligible to donate actually gives.
Recent traumas have caused steep decreases in the community blood supply and led to multiple days last week with less than a one-day community blood supply. South Texas Blood & Tissue strives to keep a minimum three-day supply of blood to adequately supply partnering hospitals and clinics.
Type O blood and platelets are the most needed blood types. While all blood types are important, the demand is especially high for O-negative donors as they make up just 8% of the population, but O-negative blood can be transfused to any patient in emergency situations. Platelets, which have a shelf life of only five days, are often used for cancer patients, as well as emergencies.
As a treat, lifesaving donors will get to take home a Halloween donor T-shirt of their choice, now through the end of October.
Donors wishing to help can make an appointment to donate at one of our nine donor centers or at a community blood drive. To schedule visit SouthTexasBlood.org or call 210-731-5590.
