South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) aims to collect 400 donations a day, but the nonprofit community blood center recently has experienced a reduction in collections. To encourage donations, in October all donors will receive a thank-you gift of a free movie ticket to Alamo Drafthouse.  

Our population is growing, and our health care systems are serving more patients, donations have declined, especially for the O-negative blood type,” said Elizabeth Waltman, Chief Operating Officer of STBTC. “ There is a type O blood shortage in our region, and the nation, and we’re working to avoid a situation that could force hospitals to postpone some treatments or surgeries.”

The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) and H-E-B are expanding a partnership launched last year designed to help replenish iron levels in young blood donors.

Beginning this semester, the program will include both high school students and college students 21 and younger. A voucher donated by H-E-B for a free 100-day supply of iron supplements will be given to college students at STBTC donor rooms or mobile college drives following their donations, along with a brochure on iron-rich foods.

“H-E-B is proud to support the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center in continuing the iron supplement program,” said Julie Bedingfield, H-E-B Public Affairs Manager. “We hope these efforts will help to ensure the health and wellness of the generous South Texas donor community.”