From June 17-24, South Texas Blood & Tissue donors could claim a $500 gift card for a getaway vacation.
SAN ANTONIO – Getaway by air, land, or sea! South Texas Blood & Tissue is giving donors a chance to win a vacation through the Air, Land and Sea Sweepstakes.
Anyone who donates blood at a donor center June 17-24 will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 Valero, Southwest Airlines or Carnival gift card.
The sweepstakes is a small token to thank donors for their generosity. Throughout the years, statistics have shown a drop in donations during the summer months – based on multiple factors, from fewer school blood drives to vacations.
Despite the drop in donations, the need for blood never declines, which means that blood stores are often thin during the summer. According to stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every two seconds an American needs blood. More than 42,000 units of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are used every day to treat patients living with cancer, people needing surgeries, newborn mothers, and patients with acute care needs.
Blood donations help patients like 3-year-old Cali. Before even being born, she was diagnosed with Alpha Thalassemia Major, a genetic blood disorder where the body doesn’t make enough hemoglobin—without this vital protein, the body doesn’t receive oxygen. Doctors said she wouldn’t make it.
Baby Cali needed blood transfusions from within her mother’s belly, which helped stabilize her condition when she was born at only 4 pounds, 10 ounces. Since being born, Cali has relied on blood transfusions every four weeks to keep her healthy. Because her body cannot produce functional blood, she will need transfusions for the rest of her life.
To schedule a blood donation, donors can call 210-731-5590 or visit SouthTexasBlood.org to schedule an appointment.
