The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center has issued an urgent appeal for donations of blood types O-negative and O-positive to support local hospitals in San Antonio. Demand for these blood types has surged, prompting the organization to partner with community members for a series of blood drives across the city.
Community Mobilization for Blood Drives
To facilitate increased donations, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is hosting several blood drives, where donors can contribute while adhering to safety protocols. Individuals are encouraged to wear face coverings and will undergo a screening process upon arrival to ensure their health and safety. As part of the initiative, the Center is offering incentives such as HEB gift cards and car wash vouchers to encourage participation.
On Sunday morning, pre-registered donors lined up outside the MacArthur Park Church of Christ fellowship hall. Among them was donor Gretchen Young, who expressed confidence in the safety measures being implemented. “Everything’s been sanitized in front of me, so I feel like it’s very safe and probably more secure than prior to COVID-19,” she noted.
Roger Ruiz, a corporate communications specialist with the Center, highlighted the importance of sanitizing equipment between appointments. The recent blood drive saw 120 donors registered, underscoring the community’s commitment to supporting those in need.
The Need for Blood Donations
Ruiz emphasized that hospitals are relying heavily on blood donations, particularly for emergency situations that arise unexpectedly. “We need a 100% turnout from registered donors, because that’s all we are collecting in the community right now,” he stated. The need for blood is critical, as various treatments and accidents occur daily.
Young, who has been a regular donor since her son was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at birth, shared her motivation for donating. “Since then, I’ve regularly donated blood. So, I guess COVID-19 really isn’t scaring me away,” she said, highlighting the personal connection many donors have to the cause.
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center serves 48 counties and supports hundreds of hospitals and clinics across the region. Given the ongoing need for blood donations, the Center plans to host additional blood drives in the future. Businesses and organizations with suitable spaces interested in hosting a drive are encouraged to contact the Center at 210-731-5590.
As the community rallies to address this urgent need, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center remains committed to ensuring safe and effective donation processes, fostering a spirit of solidarity among residents in the face of health challenges.
