Blood Donors Urgently Needed

January is National Blood Donor Month

(San Antonio, Texas; January 4, 2006) South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) is urgently requesting all eligible blood donors to give blood. We thank the many donors who answered the call for blood over the New Year holiday weekend; however, the current community blood inventory is at a one day supply, far short of the normal status of a three to four day reserve.  All blood types are at critically low levels, and this poses a threat to our community.  Each day 500 units of blood must be collected and due to the holiday season this has fallen to an average of only 300 units daily.

Norman Kalmin, CEO/President and Medical Director of STBTC, states:  “Virtually all attempts to import blood have been unsuccessful. This center, like other blood services across the nation, is facing a severe shortage of components for transfusion to patients in area hospitals.  The winter months have always proven a critical time for blood donations and South Texans have to depend on each other to maintain an adequate supply.”

The critical need for blood is highlighted by the fact that January is National Blood Donor Month (NBDM). This serves as a great opportunity to encourage all donors to give regularly up to 4 times a year. The Center will provide thank you gifts to those who help bring the inventory back to normal levels.  Please visit our locations page for a blood drive near you or call (210) 731-5555.

Anyone 17 years of age weighing at least 110 pounds and in good general health may donate blood.  Donors must present photo identification.  Donors should eat at least four hours before their donation, and drink plenty of fluids, such as water and fruit juice, before and after donating.