The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will conduct "Blood for All -- Blood Drive and Minority Marrow Registration, " Saturday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the former Montgomery Ward store space at Mall del Norte.
The blood drive will benefit patients at local hospitals. All donors will receive a T-shirt and be eligible for door prizes.
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center must collect 400 blood donations to meet the needs of the growing South Texas community. Blood and blood components are essential tools in the treatment of hospital patients with life-threatening diseases. Red blood cells last only 42 days, platelets only five days. By donating regularly, the community can ensure an adequate blood supply for both routine medical procedures as well as emergencies.
Donors should eat normally the day of donation; fasting is not recommended. Also, drinking plenty of non-alcoholic liquids both before and after donation helps the body maintain proper fluid levels.
The STBTC asks all donors to present some form of identification before beginning the donation process. Proper identification should include the donor's name plus one of the following: date of birth, Social Security number, or photo identification.
For more information on donating blood contact the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center at 1-800-292-5534.
Sponsors for the blood drive include AEP/CPL, Doctors Hospital, Guerra Communications, Laredo Community College, the Laredo Morning Times, Mercy Regional Medical Center, Texas A&M International University, and Time-Warner Communications.