San Marcos - Buda - Kyle Edition | June 2022

INSIDE INFORMATION

2022 HEALTH CARE EDITION

BRINGING IN BLOOD

COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER & ERIC WEILBACHER

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is part of a family of nonprots under the umbrella of BioBridge Global. STBTC supplies blood components to over 100 hospitals and clinics across 48 counties in South Texas. It provides support on initiatives ranging from research on new therapies to umbilical cord blood and birth tissue donations.

DONOR DILEMMA

BLOOD TYPE BREAKDOWN

TRACKING TRANSFUSIONS

According to the STBTC, 600 donations are needed daily. Community blood supply is usually just a few days worth before the total blood supply runs out. On May 12, STBTC reported a three-day overall supply.

There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens, A and B, on the surface of red blood cells. Additionally, the presence or absence of a protein called the Rh factor determines whether the blood type is positive or negative.

Rh-negative blood can only be given to Rh-negative patients, while Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood types can be given to Rh-positive patients, meaning O- blood types can be given to all four blood groups, and patients with an AB- blood type can receive blood from all four groups.

1 in 20 people will donate blood at some point in their life. 1 in 7 people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their life.

BLOOD TYPES by percent of U.S. population

Donor

37.4% 6.6%

44%

Recipient

35.7% 6.3%

The STBTC has eight donor rooms across South Texas and hosted more than 1,800 blood drives in 2021. Biomat USA also has donation locations in Austin. Biomat USA Donor Center 1400 S. I-35, San Marcos WHERE TO DONATE?

Anyone who is age 17 or older may be eligible to donate blood. Individuals who are 16 years old may be eligible to donate with parental consent. WHO CAN DONATE? Donors who are age 19 and older must weigh at least 110 pounds. Whole-blood donors who are age 16 must weigh at least 120 pounds. Whole-blood and automated donors who are ages 17-18 and male must weigh at least 115 pounds; female donors must weigh at least 120 pounds. Donors must be in general good health without any cold or u symptoms. Donors who have COVID-19 or a positive test for COVID-19 must wait 10 days and be

42%

8.5% 1.5%

BioLife Plasma Services 906 Seton Parkway, Kyle 512-504-7127 Biomat USA Donor Room 1807 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin 512-865-4200 Spectrum Plasma 137 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos 512-518-6262

10%

512-392-7570 New Braunfels Donor Room 651 I-35, Ste. 830, New Braunfels 210-731-5590 We Are Blood 3100 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin 512-206-1266

3.4% 0.6%

RH+ 85%

RH- 15%

asymptomatic prior to donating. Donors must bring a valid photo ID.

For a complete list of donation sites, visit www.southtexasblood.org, www.grifolsplasma.com .

SOURCES: AMERICAN RED CROSS, SOUTH TEXAS BLOOD AND TISSUE CENTER, STANFORD MEDICINE BLOOD CENTERCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION • JUNE 2022