The Victoria Fire Department is organizing its annual City of Victoria Blood Drive from May 17 to 23 at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, and the public is encouraged to participate.
The City hosts the blood drive each year in honor of Emergency Medical Services Week. Donating blood is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic because blood drives have been cancelled around the nation during the past several weeks, leading to a severe shortage. The Victoria donor room remains open, and staff are taking precautions to protect themselves and donors from exposure to the coronavirus.
Male donors with O-positive blood should ask about signing up for the Brothers in Arms program. These donors will be asked to give blood on a regular basis to ensure a steady supply of blood for emergency transfusions in the field. The Victoria Fire Department is one of the only first responder organizations that performs whole blood transfusions in the field, and the technique has been shown to greatly enhance survival rates for trauma victims.
To schedule an appointment, visit www.southtexasblood.org or call 210-731-5590 and be sure to mention that you’re donating in honor of EMS Week.
PHOTO: Victoria Fire Department Lieutenant Greg Mitchell donates blood during a blood drive hosted by the City of Victoria. The City hosts an annual blood drive in honor of Emergency Medical Services Week.