50th anniversary medals still available in time for FIESTA! As the South Texas heat rises, blood donors have a chance to cool off in style. From April 14 through April 27, all donors who donate blood at a South Texas Blood & Tissue donor center are automatically entered to win an H-E-B KODI cooler. This exciting opportunity aims to encourage the community to give blood and help save lives in the process. In the month of April, whole blood donors will also receive the 50th Anniversary Fiesta Medal while supplies last. All blood types are needed to meet the constant demand for bloo ..read more

We encourage all residents to register as tissue, organ and eye donors. South Texas Blood & Tissue has partnered with several landmark buildings in San Antonio to light up the nighttime skyline in blue and green to raise awareness for Donate Life Month, observed in April. This month, Americans are encouraged to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and honor those who have saved and enhanced lives through the gift of donation. From Monday, April 8 – Friday, April 12, the following buildings will be lighting up for Donate Life Month: Alamo Quarry Market Smokestacks – 255 E. Basse R ..read more

BioBridge Global CEO Martin Landon spoke on a panel during the Invest San Antonio 2023-2024 Conference on Thursday, noting the organization’s growing capabilities. “Together BioBridge Global is comprised of approximately 700 professionals and staff dedicated to a common mission: To save and enhance lives through the healing power of human cells and tissue,” he said.  The conference explored a variety of ideas, with local executives speaking on one of three panels about the evolving economic growth of the city.  Healthcare, education initiatives  Other panelists with ..read more

San Antonio donors receive limited edition Fiesta Medal Just in time to celebrate Fiesta, all blood donors in San Antonio will receive the exclusive South Texas Blood & Tissue 50th Anniversary Fiesta medal. This year’s medal highlights our 50 years of collecting blood donations from our community, for our community. The medal includes the trademarked double hearts with red dye to resemble the lifesaving blood that thousands depend on from volunteer donors. Blood donors can donate at any San Antonio South Texas Blood & Tissue donor center or mobile blood drive (while supplies last). “Fi ..read more

South Texas Blood & Tissue leaders were featured in a webinar on an innovative program to collect whole blood-derived platelets. Audra Taylor (VP, Blood Operations) and Dr. Samantha Gomez Ngamsuntikul (Medical Director, South Texas Blood & Tissue) shared takeaways about collaborating with hospitals to address platelet demand. The webinar was hosted by The Association for Blood DonorProfessionals and sponsored by Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies. Watch the webinar here. Learn more about our services here. The post Webinar explores whole blood-derived platelets  appeared firs ..read more

First-time blood donors can possibly “Get Away” after blood donations Before you head for vacation this spring break, South Texas Blood & Tissue is encouraging everyone in the community who has never attempted to donate blood or platelets to come in and help save lives. Less than 3% of the eligible population donates blood and donations from first time donors are down 5%. “We urge everyone who has never donated blood or platelets before to consider doing so this spring break,” said Dr. Samantha Martinez, Chief Medical Officer at South Texas Blood & Tissue. “Your donation can make a sig ..read more

Seniors will benefit from the help of blood donors South Texas Blood & Tissue and Meals on Wheels of San Antonio are partnering together through the Double Your Impact initiative which will help provide meals for seniors in our community. Through Double Your Impact, blood donors can donate the points they earn from their blood donations directly to Meals on Wheels. The initiative will run through March 31. Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit organization, serves individuals living through Bexar County and South-Central Texas. In 2020 the nonprofit provided over a million fresh and nutri ..read more

In 2018, South Texas Blood & Tissue and the region’s emergency responders joined forces to launch a program that has saved hundreds of lives across South Texas – and one that has become a gold standard for emergency responders nationwide.  The program provides specially screened whole blood for patients with severe blood loss when time is of the essence. The blood center’s part is known as Heroes in Arms.  Whole blood is meticulously stored in EMS units and helicopters in the field, as well as emergency rooms.  It’s used across South Texas but comes from one place: South Tex ..read more

The locally based blood bank was formed during a time of nationwide blood donation shortages  In the early 1970s, the United States faced a blood donation crisis.   Pressure from medical professionals, federal regulators and Congress spurred blood centers to move their collections from paid to volunteer blood donors. The problem was no one could collect enough to meet the need.  In San Antonio, an Arizona-based nonprofit collected and distributed most blood supply. Some hospitals had their own blood banks. Blood donations and supply shortages were frequent, and San Antonio ..read more

BY Amanda Lozano   A daughter’s selfless gift created a mother’s legacy.   Organ, eye and tissue donation allows individuals to have a quality of life they may not otherwise have. Teresa de La Cruz experienced this because her daughter Valerie selflessly donated a kidney when she needed it most.   Valerie didn’t pass away, she just wanted to give her mother a second chance at life. Valerie’s selfless act cemented one thing: Teresa wanted to pay it forward by donating her tissue when the time came. “She wanted to be able to spread love and wealth, if you will,” Val ..read more