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Aleyda

Aleyda

Five-year-old Aleyda is a whirlwind of joy. Spontaneous and full of energy, she loves giving kisses, cuddling her sisters, and greeting everyone she meets with a bright “hi” and an even brighter smile. Her warmth fills every room she enters — a reminder of the vibrant spirit inside her, even on the hardest days.

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When Everything Changed

When Aleyda was three, her family noticed something was wrong. Their normally lively little girl grew lethargic and didn’t want to walk or play. She complained of pain in her abdomen, but doctors initially found nothing unusual. Because Aleyda has Down syndrome and communicates differently, she could only hint at the discomfort she felt. Eventually, her primary doctor sent her to the hospital, where their world changed forever. Aleyda was diagnosed with leukemia.

“It’s the worst news a parent can hear,” recalls her mom, Amber. “Our world became filled with blood work, labs, scans, and hospital stays.”

The Power of Blood Donation

Blood donations have been a lifeline throughout Aleyda’s journey. Amber says she can tell right away when her daughter needs blood as her color fades and her energy disappears. After a transfusion, it’s like a switch flips. Her color comes back, her energy returns, and she’s ready to play again. It’s a complete 360. Those blood products, donated by people in the community, help Aleyda keep fighting and give her family hope.

A Mother’s Gratitude

Amber is deeply grateful to blood donors. “Without them, I don’t know what would have happened,” she says. “Blood transfusions have helped Aleyda continue her fight against cancer. We’ve seen firsthand how vital they are – not just for her, but for so many other patients too.”

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About Us

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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.