Giving blood AND signing up for the marrow registry takes less than 30 minutes and could change the odds for patients like Kami and Kyra!
Kami and Kyra Crawford know what it’s like to try and find a matching marrow or stem cell donor.
The sisters are living with sickle cell anemia, a chronic blood disorder that causes severe pain and fatigue. They had considered a marrow transplant as a treatment that could lead to living pain-free lives. However, African Americans are largely underrepresented on the national marrow registry.
Kami and Kyra are now pursuing other options to beat sickle cell anemia, but they want to raise awareness about the need for people from diverse ethnic backgrounds to join the marrow registry. They also depend on blood transfusions every 3-6 weeks in order to relieve some of the pain they experience due to their condition.
It only takes about 20 minutes to make a blood donation AND sign up for the marrow registry. Learn more about the marrow registry here.
All presenting donors at our VelocityTX blood and marrow drive will score:
All blood donations will undergo a COVID-19 antibody test from March 1-31, 2021. Results will be available online within a week after your donation. Learn more at SouthTexasBlood.org/Testing.
For your safety, we have implemented several safety protocols at every blood drive and donor room. For more information about our protocols and about the coronavirus, visit: SouthTexasBlood.org/Coronavirus
On the day of your donation: fill out your health questionnaire online before your appointment. Click here to access the form.
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.
