Each year, thousands of Americans suffer needlessly while awaiting a tissue transplant. The shortage of donated tissues is often the only factor limiting a surgeon’s ability to treat patients in need of a tissue transplant. Fortunately, you have the opportunity to help. Please take a moment to think about one of the most important decisions that you can make. Be part of a new beginning. Be a Tissue Donor.

The following are types of tissues that can be donated:

* Long bones
* Ligaments / Tendons of the lower legs
* Heart Valves
* Veins / Arteries
* Skin
* Cartilage

Tissue donation involves a surgical procedure to remove the donated tissues. It does not disfigure the body, nor will it affect funeral arrangements, allowing for an open casket viewing if so desired. Additionally, the donation process does not cost anything to the donor’s family. It is a priority of our organization to make these donated tissues available to local patients in need of a tissue transplant.

To give the "gift of life" you must inform your next of kin and other members of your family as to your wishes. Let them know your feelings toward tissue donation and make them aware of your decision to be a tissue donor. Everyone is a potential tissue donor at his or her time of death, and the family will be asked to make a decision about donation at this time. Sharing your decision with your family is as important as making the decision itself. Doing this will prevent uncertainty, assure the carrying out of your wishes and provide comfort to your loved ones during this difficult time.

Once informed consent has been obtained from the next-of-kin and a medical/social history has been completed, the recovery process may proceed, provided that there were no exclusion factors discovered during the approach and consent process. A tissue recovery team will then proceed with the procurement of the donated tissues. The recovery process will take place in a sterile environment, much like that of any other surgical procedure. Upon completion, prosthetics will be utilized to reconstruct the body prior to release to the funeral home. A unique feature of the services offered by STBTC is that our musculoskeletal tissues are recovered, processed, stored and distributed from our facility in San Antonio, Texas.

As a full-service tissue bank, we are able to better serve the needs of our community. South Texas Blood & Tissue is certified by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9002) and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Educational programs are offered to audiences such as healthcare professionals, funeral home directors and the community at large concerning tissue related topics. These educational programs allow us to relay pertinent information to the community, as well as dispel any misconceptions regarding donation. This is a role that the staff of the tissue services department take very seriously. An informed public is our best ally in the effort to meet the tissue demands of our community.  Tours are also available to students. For more information contact Fil Vega.

South Texas Blood & Tissue Center also provides support for those in the community who have lost loved ones. For information on this program see the page on Bereavement Education & Support Taskforce. For more information, contact South Texas Blood & Tissue Center at:(210) 731-5555, 1-800-292-5534 or e-mail Mary Beth Fisk.