AUSTIN, Texas — Central Texas blood bank We Are Blood has issued an urgent call as donations drop during SXSW and spring break.
To sweeten the deal during the festival period, the blood bank has partnered with Torchy’s Tacos to offer a $5 “burn card” to all donors until March 24.
In particular demand is “universal donor” type O Negative blood, which can be transfused to almost any patient in need but only occurs in around 6.6 percent of the population.
“The blood bank requires consistent blood donations to ensure that life-saving blood inventory is available to treat those in need,” We Are Blood said in a statement.
“Currently, Central Texas is welcoming thousands of visitors to Austin while, at the same time, many residents leave for spring break.”
We Are Blood says at least 200 donations are needed every day to support the needs of the 40 hospitals the organization serves.
The blood bank is the sole provider of blood to Central Texas hospitals and medical facilities.
Anyone interested in donating blood is urged to make an appointment via the We Are Blood website or by phone at (512) 206-1266, and visit one of its three Austin-area donor centers or one of its mobile drives.