Community blood drives scheduled this weekend amid urgent need for Type O blood
With hospitals in South Texas running critically short on blood supply after the July 4 holiday, officials with the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center are hoping people will roll up their sleeves at community blood drives this weekend.
Sisters advocate for marrow donor registry with South Texas Blood & Tissue Center
Sickle Cell Anemia affects one out of every 365 Black people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Marrow drives that were scheduled for Black History Month at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center were postponed because of last weekโs winter storm. Instead of sulking, the sisters are advocates for the โBe The Matchโ marrow registry, hoping to increase survival chances for themselves and others. To join the marrow registry in their honor, text K2KLUV to 61474. AdRelated: Gene-editing treatment shows promise for sickle cell disease
Blood donors sought as San Antonio Metro Health declares blood emergency in city
SAN ANTONIO โ San Antonio Metro Health has declared a blood emergency in the city, as the recent winter weather has left San Antonio and South Texas in a blood shortage emergency. Health officials said there is not enough blood on hand to treat trauma cases and patients who need emergency surgeries and procedures which require blood. At least 2,000 donations have been lost by donor room closures and the cancellation of blood drives, health officials said. Health officials said all donors will receive a $20 Amazon gift card through Sunday, Feb. 21, as well as donor reward points. Health officials said all donors are asked to keep their appointments or call 210-731-5590 to reschedule and open a time for someone else to give.
Blood supply โcritically lowโ in what South Texas Blood and Tissue Center calls โdisturbing trendโ
The American Red Cross is asking for blood donations to help fulfill an increase in need caused by the pandemic. SAN ANTONIO โ The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is urging people to donate blood as it is seeing a โsevereโ shortage amid an โextremely urgentโ demand. Adrienne Mendoza, the vice president of Blood Operations at South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, said the need for blood during the coronavirus pandemic has strained the supply, โputting our community at risk.โAbout 500 donations are needed a day to keep up with the demand. โThe COVID-19 pandemic has contributed a secondary national health emergency โ a dramatic blood shortage for patients from coast to coast.โMendoza said the demand increased by 35% in January. A voucher for a smoothie at Smoothie King will be given to donors on Sundays.
People who received COVID-19 vaccine can still donate blood or platelets, health official says
SAN ANTONIO โ People who have been inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine during its massive, nation-wide rollout can still donate blood and platelets, according to health officials. Beddard said the COVID-19 vaccines are not made from the virus that causes COVID-19. These vaccines cause that response.โShe urged people to donate blood or platelets during a time when organizations typically see a dip in the number of donors. Because the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines, the deferral period does not apply in this instance. The U.S. has approved two COVID-19 vaccines, one from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, and the other from Moderna.
STBTC struggles for donors amid blood shortage
San Antonio โ The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is struggling to bring in donors as it tries to pull itself out of a blood shortage. The center had 1.78 days worth of blood, as of Monday morning, compared to its goal of a three-day supply. โReally one or two major events - like a big trauma or two traumas - could wipe out our supply of blood. STBTC donations (STBTC)STBTC is looking for donations from all blood types -- especially type O. Donations are by appointment only, and donors can register on the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center website.
Morgans Wonderland founder, executive donate plasma at South Texas Blood & Tissue Center after recovering from COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center announced today that the founder of Morgans Wonderland and a park executive donated plasma on Wednesday to help the San Antonio community combat COVID-19. The center is the only organization in the area collecting convalescent plasma that can be transfused directly to patients with COVID-19. The community blood center has supplied more than 6,000 convalescent plasma doses to patients in area hospitals to date. The average convalescent plasma donation provides enough for three doses, and a donor can give every four days. Limited slots remain open for Morgans Wonderland blood driveThe blood center is taking donations by appointment only at the Donor Pavilion in San Antonio and its donor room in Victoria.
Plasma donations sought to help treat COVID-19 patients
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is seeking people who have recovered from the coronavirus to donate plasma to help with current patients suffering from the disease. As of 6 p.m. Sunday, 45 units of plasma had been sent to local hospitals with several orders still pending. In June, close to 1,000 units of convalescent plasma has been sent to local hospitals. We were able to give plasma when we had few patients. Now that the amount of patients is so high, there are several patients we havent been able to give plasma at all.The organization is seeking anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 to see if they are eligible to donate.
South Texas Blood & Tissue Center reports second employee tests positive for COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center reported Thursday that a second member of their staff has tested positive for COVID-19. We have received confirmation that a second member of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center donor services staff has tested positive for COVID-19, a statement from the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center read. Related: South Texas Blood & Tissue Center employee tests positive for COVID-19, officials sayThe second team member last worked at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Donor Pavilion on June 19, in the morning, according to the STBTC. Employees who worked alongside the affected employee are being asked to get tested for the virus, the center said. More information on blood donation and the policies the center has instituted in response to COVID-19 is available at SouthTexasBlood.org.
2020 graduates get free car washes this week
SAN ANTONIO School is officially out for summer and Bee Clean Car Washes has a special offer for all graduating seniors and college graduates. If you donate blood at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, you can get a free COVID-19 antibody testThe car wash company is offering a free wash, valued at $14.99 all this week. Those who want to partake in the deal must download the Bee Clean Car Wash app, use promo code GRAD2020 and then scan the QR code at the kiosk to get the free car wash. These San Antonio schools are offering free lunches all summerThere are currently seven Bee Clean Car Washes all across the city.
If you donate blood at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, you can get a free COVID-19 antibody test
SAN ANTONIO โ As a way to say โthank youโ to blood donors, the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is providing free antibody testing for COVID-19 for all blood donors this summer. The free antibody tests will be available to blood donors beginning Monday, June 8, through August 31. RELATED: Who should get a COVID-19 antibody test? The antibody test isnโt meant for those that are experiencing symptoms of the virus or believe they may be infected. RELATED: What can a COVID-19 antibody test tell us?
South Texas Blood & Tissue Center holds week-long blood drive to build supply amid coronavirus outbreak
SAN ANTONIO โ The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is holding a week-long community blood drive in hopes of building up a 15-20 day blood supply amid the coronavirus outbreak. SAQ: Why blood donations are so important during the coronavirus pandemicThe blood drive will be held at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, near the intersection of Loop 1604 and Highway 281, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m from March 23 to March 27. Health officials: South Texas blood supply at risk of collapsing due to lack of donationsThe STBTC must collect over 400 units of blood to help patients, health officials have said. STBC has added additional sanitation measures and temperature checks of potential donors and staff as they enter facilities, officials said. The community blood drive is a partnership between STBC, Alzafar Shriners and South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital.
Health officials: South Texas blood supply at risk of collapsing due to lack of donations
She says if this continues, it could lead to a collapse in the South Texas blood supply. Each day, the STBTC must collect over 400 units of blood to help patients, health officials say. Donating blood in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is safe and in doing so, health officials say it can help prevent a secondary health crisis caused by the depleted blood supply. Health officials say they expect the lack of blood donations to continue as COVID-19 sweeps across the nation; however, the need for blood is still critical. The news conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 14 at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.
Coronavirus concerns could spark a blood donation shortage. Hereโs why you should keep donating blood and not worry
Coronavirus concerns could spark a blood donation shortage. Hereโs why you should keep donating blood and not worryPublished: March 10, 2020, 10:14 pmThe South Texas Blood & Tissue Center said itโs making changes to ensure donors are safe when they visit their donation locations in light of COVID-19 concerns.
Can you donate? Center issues emergency appeal for blood to boost โdangerously low inventoriesโ
SAN ANTONIO โ The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is asking for help. The group said itโs issuing an emergency appeal for donations, to boost dangerously low inventories and meet growing patient needs. About 12% of the orders from South Texas hospitals are O-negative, according to a news release from the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center. The blood center is even extending hours in this time of need, starting Thursday. Regardless of the time of year, โThe need is always there โ once every four minutes, someone in South Texas needs blood," Waltman added.