The need for donated blood in our area is critical today.
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is putting out an urgent plea for help, trying to gather up 2,000 donations by the Fourth of July.
A circumstantial “perfect storm” has made this week particularly challenging.
Dr. Samantha Gomez is the Associate Medical Director for the blood bank.
"During the school year, we have most of our blood coming from high schools as well as workplaces. And during the summer, people are on vacation and they are not donating. And on top of that, we have the threat of Zika. So people who are returning from the Caribbean or Mexico are not allowed to donate for 28 days following their return," she says.
Local hospitals may have to cancel some surgeries if the local blood supply isn’t replenished.
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is open today and all weekend, including Monday, if you want to help.
