National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
January 2012
January marks the annual celebration of National Volunteer Blood Donor Month; a time to raise awareness and honor those individuals who save lives of patients though the selfless act of blood donation.  The Blood Center of Central Texas recognizes and thanks all of its donors who continue to make a difference in our community by donating blood.  As an added thank you, we will be handing out FREE T-SHIRTS to all of our January donors.  (Shirts available at Donor Centers Only) Make an appointment online today!

 

December, 2011

 

 

Amy's Ice Creams Flavors for Savers Holiday Blood Drive
December 9 - January 4
Donate between December 9 and January 4 and receive your favorite flavor of Amy’s Ice Creams! Coupons will be distributed to all donors at fixed site locations and mobile blood drives and are redeemable at any Amy’s Ice Creams location. Coupons are valid through February 15, 2012. Make an appointment online today!

 

 

November 23, 2011

 

 

On Thursday, November 17th, The American-Statesman published “The Austin American-Statesman Top Workplaces” – a list of the best places to work in the Greater Austin area. We are delighted to let you know that The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas was named to the list.

 

The evaluation for the Top Workplaces program is based upon feedback from an employee survey. 143 companies participated in the program and 85 companies were selected for the Top Workplaces award. We are honored to be included!!

 

 

November 16, 2011

 

 

November 14, 2011

 

Donate a new, unwrapped toy to be given to the Police Dept.’s Blue Santa Program at any of our donor centers.  All toys will be loaded onto a Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas Mobile Bus and given to Blue Santa after the Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade on Saturday, November 26th. 

Donation boxes are in the lobbies of all donor centers until Tuesday, November 22.

 

(**South Park Meadows Donor Center will have a box available for donations until December 10.  These extra donations will be donated at the Blue Santa Night in the Grove at South Park Meadows Saturday, December 10.)

 

 

 

 

 

October 18, 2011

 

We currently have a local patient depleting our O negative inventory. Due to this emergency situation, we ask that all eligible O negative donors visit a Donor Center as soon as possible.

Type O negative is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type. We encourage all O negative donors to give blood soon and help keep the blood supply stable. Make an appointment online today! or call 512-206-1266. Walk-ins are always welcome.

 

 

 

September 12, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

August $500 Southwest Airline Gift Card Winner 

Congratulations to our August $500 Southwest Airline gift card winner, Lynda Shanblum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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September 9, 2011 

 

 

 

The Blood Center invites Central Texans to donate in honor and memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. All donors presenting at donor centers will receive a free 9/11 t-shirt (while supplies last) Friday, September 9 – Sunday, September 11. For locations and hours go to http://www.inyourhands.org/contact.php

 

This is the 10th annual Neighbor’s In Need Blood Drive to help ensure that our community’s blood supply remains at a safe level. As we go about our own day-to-day challenges, let’s not forget about helping our fellow neighbors in need.  Give the gift of life with a blood donation.  Each donation may save as many as two lives.

 

The need for blood is constant. Save two lives today! Make an appointment online today!

 

 

 

 

September 6, 2011 

 

 

Our Lamar donor center is being reorganized to allow for more efficient donor flow and to maximize staff abilities. Under the new arrangement, any donor can go anywhere! Specifically, our two collection areas will no longer be limited by what procedures they can perform and what donors they can see.  We thank you for your patience as we undertake this transition and look forward to sharing our new set up with you the next time you come in to give blood and save lives! Make your next appointment today. 

 

 

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August 8, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFD Named 2011 Boots vs. Badges Champs!
Congratulations to the Austin Fire Department for recruiting the most donors during the 4th Annual Boots vs. Badges Blood Drive Challenge. The Austin Fire Department and Austin Police Department were neck and neck until the final countdown on the last day of the competition. AFD claimed the "Boots vs. Badges Champs" title and traveling trophy with 181 participants, beating APD by one donor. This year's competition brought in a total of 361 participants!

 

The annual Boots vs. Badges Blood Drive Competition is always an exciting time and we are grateful to be able to honor our local heroes while helping to save lives in Central Texas. Thank you to our community leaders for helping to spread the word about the importance of blood donation. We look forward to seeing who takes the title in 2012!

 
*In photo: Lt. Nick Hernandez, ADP and Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr, AFD.

 

 

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Summertime...and the givin' is easy. Alex Franco with Mix 94.7 stopped by the North Lamar donor center yesterday. Alex donated blood, saved two lives and re-fueled in the canteen room with a Gatorade and Cheez-Its. Thanks to Alex and Mix 94.7 for helping to keep the blood supply stable and for understanding that Life is in your hands!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The American Red Cross issued a national appeal on Monday for blood donors due to a decrease in supply across the nation. Fortunately, the Blood Center of Central Texas is not currently faced with a critical shortage. We have our donors to thank! Supply was exceptionally low this summer but when we asked for help, our donors listened. Keep our blood supply stable, make your next appointment today.

 

 

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RecognizeGood®, an Austin original, set out to elevate the world’s spirit of community by creating a public forum to recognize, reward, and promote acts of kindness and unselfish charity. The organization firmly believes that one act of kindness encourages other acts of kindness and aims to serve as a catalyst for spreading “good” in the community by encouraging philanthropy.

 

RecognizeGood® selects one outstanding individual each month for their Legends program. In June, the organization chose Mr. Steve Barclay, a dedicated blood donor and volunteer who has donated 30 gallons of blood to date. Mr. Barclay’s continuous service to saving lives through blood donation and serving as a transportation volunteer with The Blood Center demonstrates exceptional acts of kindness that benefit the Central Texas community. As a recipient of the Legends award, Mr. Barclay was able to select a non-profit of his choice, the Kalahari Peoples Fund, to receive a $500 award. The nominating organization, The Blood Center of Central Texas, also received a $500 pay it forward donation. Individuals in the photo that accepted the awards on behalf of each organization are Michael Warburton with The Blood Center, Megan Biesele with the Kalahari Peoples Fund, and Steve Barclay.

 

The Blood Center extends sincere thanks and gratitude for the continuous service of Mr. Barclay and the honorable recognition from RecognizeGood®. Mr. Barclay will become eligible for the Austin, TX 2011 Legend Award and a portion of the $20,000 RecognizeGood® award to be bestowed at the Say Thanks Austin campaign in 2012. For additional information on RecognizeGood®, click here.

 

 

 

June $500 Southwest Airline Gift Card Winner 

Congratulations to our June $500 Southwest Airline gift card winner, Shermanie Woods! There are two more chances to win a $500 gift card this summer. Make an appointment to donate today! If you donate TWICE this summer, your name will be entered into the drawing TWICE. Life is in your hands!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Heather White from KASE 101 Saved Two Lives!
Heather White and Annette Green with Clear Channel Radio visited the Blood Center to help spread the word about the importance of blood donation.  Heather and Annette were accompanied by one of the world's greatest phlebotomists, Kelly! Thank you, Heather, for saving lives in Central Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sundaes on Sundays Returns...With FIVE Sundays in July!
Give blood on any Sunday in July and receive a FREE sundae from Amy's Ice Creams! Sundaes are only available at the Lamar Donor Center, located at 4300 N Lamar Blvd. For additional information, please call 512-206-1266. Ice cream lovers save lives!

 

 

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Shop Summer Styles and Save Lives This Independence Day Weekend
The Blood Center of Central Texas will host multiple mobile blood drives open to the general public this Independence Day weekend. Opportunities to donate blood are available at Lakeline Mall and Barton Creek Square Mall. The Technology Group, coordinated by SabeRex, will also host an open blood drive, as well as provide a FREE pancake breakfast for all participants. The Technology Group has partnered with RecognizeGood and will be rewarding an outstanding multi-gallon donor and Blood Center volunteer, Steve Barclay, by inducting him into the Legends of RecognizeGood Hall of Fame. For more information on RecognizeGood, click here.

Lakeline Mall
July 1, 2 and 3
1pm-5pm
Blood drive will be located on the lower level in front of Macy's.
Sponsor Code: Lakeline
All donors will be entered to win a $100 Uchi/Uchiko gift card!

Barton Creek Square Mall
July 2 and 3
1pm-4pm
Blood drive will be located on the lower level in front of JCPenney.
Sponsor Code: Barton Creek
All donors will be entered to win a $100 Uchi/Uchiko gift card!

 

The Technology Group
July 1
8am-Noon
12211 Technology Blvd, Austin, Texas 78727
Sponsor Code: Give
FREE pancake breakfast for all participants!

 

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Saving Lives ROCKS! Win TWO 3-Day ACL Passes!
Donate blood June, July or August at any Donor Center or mobile blood drive and be automatically entered to win TWO 3-day general admission passes to the Austin City Limits Music Festival 2011. Donate TWICE this summer and your name will be entered into the drawing TWICE. 

 

The winner will be required to redeem certificate within 10 business days of the drawing, which will be held on September 2, 2011. The Blood and Tissue Center will provide certificate and additional ticket redemption instructions to winner on September 2. C3 Presents and The Austin Parks Foundation are proud supporters of The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas.

 

Austin City Limits Music Festival            
September 16-18, 2011
Zilker Park, Austin, TX

 

 

 

Save Lives This Summer and Win a $500 Southwest Airlines Gift Card!
Fly somewhere...it's on us! A $500 Southwest Airlines gift card will be raffled EACH month this summer. Donate this June, July or August at any Donor Center or mobile blood drive and be automatically entered to win. Make an appointment online today!

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Michelle Hansen for winning the Barton Creek Resort and Spa raffle prize. Thank you to everyone one who came out to donate during Women's Health Week!

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

Help us celebrate the women in our community. Donate at any fixed site location or mobile blood drive May 8-14 and be automatically entered to win a Spa Gift Basket and Gift Certificate for a “Spa Splash Day Package” from Barton Creek Resort and Spa. Don't forget that May 8 is Mother's Day! Make an appointment online today.

 

National Women's Health Week is a week-long health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health. The theme for 2011 is "It's Your Time." National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority and encourages them to take steps to improve their physical and mental health. For more information on Women's Health Week, visit www.womenshealth.gov/whw.
 

 

 

 

 

Austin's Park Blood Drives in June...New Dates Added in July!
Get out and donate June 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and July 2, 3, 4 at Austin's Park! The first 25 people who present to donate each day will receive a FREE all-access pass to the park. Passes must be used the same day as the blood drive. Enjoy games and rides while you help save lives this summer!   

 

June 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 and July 2, 3, 4
11am-2pm
16231 IH 35 North
Pflugerville, TX 78660

 

 

 

 

Spring Blood Drive Raffle Winner!
Congratulations to our Spring Break promotion winner, Craig Johnson! Craig won a $500 Visa Gift Card. Thank you to all of our donors for saving lives in Central Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is bringing a new kind of green this season. Donate at any Donor Center or mobile blood drive March 13-19 and be automatically entered to win a $500 Visa gift card. You can earn double points too! Make an appointment today!

 

 

 

 

Thanks again to W.R. Anderson for providing the hand crafted heart necklaces for our Heart to Heart Valentine's Weekend promotion. Our donors really came through and showed their support. The Blood Center greatly appreciates everyone's commitment to saving lives in Central Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

The 3rd Annual (2011) National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge will reach over 200 college/university campuses. Please join us in celebrating Cesar E. Chavez's Legacy as an American civic leader by saving a life and sharing with your peers to do the same. Invite your friends to join today! For more information on how to sign up, contact Shannon Ruby at sruby@inyourhands.org. Blood drives are scheduled for the following schools:

 

 

Austin Community College - Riverside location
Thursday, March 10
10am-4:30pm

 

St. Edward's University
Wednesday, March 30
9am-4pm
Drive will be held in the Mabee Ballroom

 

University of Texas at Austin
Monday, April 4
10am-4pm
Drive will be located at Speedway Mall

The 2010 National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge was hosted at 113 colleges/universities, engaging 10,000+ students/staff/faculty. To view 2009 and 2010 results in detail, click here.