Victoria Blood Shortage- How to Navigate Donating
Want to give blood? Your first step is to call for an appointment.
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is still in need of healthy community members to donate blood in Victoria and surrounding counties. The STBTC offers, " We are urgently asking donors to continue to donate blood if they are well and healthy. As we saw here and across the nation a month ago, blood shortages pose a serious health risk to our community."
Health Care Services, including blood banks are included in the list of activities and businesses that are exempted from the "Stay Home, Work Safe Measures." This allows donors and employees of the STBTC to continue with their life saving efforts involved in giving and collecting blood.
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is following the guidelines set forth by the CDC including asking ANYONE willing to donate blood to call for a scheduled appointment first. The CDC says "In healthcare settings all across the United States, donated blood is a lifesaving, essential part of caring for patients. The need for donated blood is constant, and blood centers are open and in urgent need of donations. CDC encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood if they are able, even if they are practicing social distancing because of COVID-19. CDC is supporting blood centers by providing recommendations that will keep donors and staff safe. Examples of these recommendations include spacing donor chairs 6 feet apart, thoroughly adhering to environmental cleaning practices, and encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time."
The STBTC is committed to keeping our community safe and have implemented additional safety precautions for donors and employees.
To make an appointment please call 361.576.3651
Donating blood is easy! Here is a blood donor video by Canadian Blood Services.