Blood donors are thanked for their lifesaving generosity as summer shortages and recent emergencies place additional pressure on the community blood supply
SAN ANTONIO – Every year on June 14, the world comes together to celebrate World Blood Donor Day, a tribute to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and to thank unpaid donors for their gift of lifesaving blood. South Texas Blood & Tissue wants to thank donors for their generosity and encourage first-timers donors.
It comes at a crucial time, especially as donations sharply dwindle during the summer months.
South Texas Blood & Tissue responded to the Midland incident on June 12, providing multiple units to support the victims. The blood supply has been significantly impacted by the tragedy.
South Texas Blood & Tissue is currently #OnCall and are asking our community to come together and help us replenish our shelves. Donors are urgently needed to ensure we can continue caring for patients in emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments and other critical needs.
If you are eligible, please consider donating blood as soon as possible.
Tina Garcia, a longtime blood donor, volunteer, and advocate, understands the importance of blood donation from both sides. After a routine medical procedure led to life-threatening complications, donated blood helped save her life. Today, she continues encouraging others to donate and help ensure blood is available when patients need it most.
“Who knew I’d be the one in the hospital needing blood?” Tina said. “Nobody knows when a tragedy is going to happen. Someone out there will always need a donation.”
Tina’s experience inspired her to learn about more ways to help patients, including platelet donation. Platelets are a vital blood component used for patients facing serious medical conditions. Platelets can be donated every 8 days, for a total of 24 times a year. Whole blood donations can be done every 56 days, or up to 6 times annually.
“If you can donate, do it,” she said. “You never know whose life you might save.”
This World Blood Donor Day, make a difference in your community! Appointments are available by visiting SouthTexasBlood.org/Give or calling 833-YOU-GIVE (833-968-4483).
Summary:
- June 14 is World Blood Donor Day.
- Donations dwindle during the summer
- Platelets can be donated every 8 days, a total of 24 times a year. Whole blood donations can be done every 56 days, or up to 6 times annually.
- Appointments are available by visiting SouthTexasBlood.org/Give or calling 833-YOU-GIVE (833-968-4483).
Important stats:
- You can donate blood if you’ve had a tattoo or live with diabetes.
- In many countries, there is not an adequate supply of safe blood.
- Donated blood is essential to healthcare systems everywhere, supporting patients during emergencies, childbirth, surgeries, cancer treatment, and other serious conditions.
Frequently asked questions:
How do I donate blood in San Antonio?
Schedule an appointment at SouthTexasBlood.org, bring a photo ID, complete a brief questionnaire, and give!.
What do I get for donating blood?
Anyone who gives will receive donor points that can be redeemed at our Donor store.
Why are type O blood donors especially needed?
Type O blood is the most common type in South Texas, and certain units of type O can be used in emergencies.
Voice-over:
June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, and South Texas Blood & Tissue wants to thank you for your donation! As donations drop during this time, we encourage new donors and volunteers to visit our chairs. Blood can be given every 56 days, or platelets can be given every 8 days!
Schedule an appointment and help make a lifesaving difference for patients across South Texas.
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About South Texas Blood & Tissue: South Texas Blood & Tissue is a nonprofit community blood center that provides blood, plasma, platelets and other blood components to 110 hospitals in 49 South Texas counties. It is the largest blood supplier in the region. Through the generous life-legacy gifts of human tissue, South Texas Blood & Tissue also supports development of tissue allografts for patients in need of reconstructive surgery, repair or tissue regeneration. South Texas Blood & Tissue has a 50-plus years of service to the South Texas community and is part of the BioBridge Global family of nonprofit organizations, which offers services in regenerative medicine and research, including blood banking and resource management; cellular therapy; umbilical cord blood collection and storage; donated human tissue recovery and distribution for transplant; and testing of blood and plasma products to help patients in the United States and worldwide. South Texas Blood & Tissue has nine donor centers in South Texas and conducts hundreds of mobile blood drives each year. Learn more at SouthTexasBlood.org
