Blood donors can save lives while helping to raise funds for classrooms in August
As hospital orders continue to outpace blood donations, members of the San Antonio City Council have announced the “Summer District Challenge” from Aug. 9-13.
Each Council member will sponsor a blood drive in their district with the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, competing to bring in the most donors. In addition to saving lives, each blood donation will result in $10 donated to provide classroom supplies for schools within the district. Blood donors also will be thanked with a $10 gift card by email that can be used in person or online at hundreds of stores and restaurants.
The summer, when donors are on vacation and there are fewer blood drives, is among the slowest times for blood donations, according to the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, a subsidiary of San Antonio nonprofit BioBridge Global. The situation is critical this summer, as hospital orders for blood have increased while donations continue to be impacted by the pandemic, leading to a nationwide blood shortage.
“The help of City Council comes at a time when the community blood supply is lower than we’ve ever seen it, ” said Adrienne Mendoza, Vice President, Operations, South Texas Blood & Tissue Center. “We need the support of the community to meet the growing requests for blood to serve our hospitals and their patients.”
The first City Council-sponsored blood drive competition was organized this past January by District 7 City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, whose district brought in the most donations and won the challenge.
“I appreciate my council colleagues for joining in on this friendly competition. Together, our efforts will help save lives,” said Councilwoman Sandoval. “May the best member win!”
Blood drives included in the Summer District Challenge are:
- Mario Bravo, District 1: Central Catholic High School on Aug. 10
- Jalen McKee, District 2: TBD
- Phyllis Viagran, District 3: Embassy Suites Brooks on Aug. 10
- Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, District 4: Christa McAuliffe Middle School on Aug. 13
- Teri Castillo, District 5: Collins Garden Library on Aug. 9
- Melissa Cabello Havrda, District 6: Courtyard by Marriott SeaWorld on Aug. 12
- Ana Sandoval, District 7: Crossroads Baptist Church on Aug. 11
- Manny Peláez, District 8: John Igo Library on Aug. 13
- John Courage, District 9: San Antonio Shrine Auditorium on Aug. 10
- Clayton Perry, District 10: Morgan’s Wonderland on Aug. 12
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 frequent procedure performed 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.
