July 22, 2010
EMAILS SENT IN ERROR TO DONORS
On Wednesday, July 21, three emails were released to all Central Texas donors. Two emails pertained to our Secret Shopper program and the third email notified donors that their points were about to expire because they had not donated in three years. These emails were sent in error. You should not have received these emails and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Our third party email provider was the root of this problem and has resolved the issue completely.
We value your relationship and understand that communicating with you via email is a privilege not to be taken lightly. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and strive to provide a convenient and enjoyable donation experience. It is because of your continued support that we are able to meet the needs of our community. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
July 28, 2010
Donor Centers Will Close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, August 4
Our Cedar Park, Georgetown and South Austin Donor Centers will close early on August 4 for a company event. For additional information, please call 512-206-1266.
July 22, 2010
Blue Bell Pint for Pint
August 1 - 14
Donate at any fixed site location or mobile blood drive and receive a FREE pint of Blue Bell ice cream. Donors that donate at a mobile drive will receive a coupon redeemable at any donor center location. Last day to redeem coupons is August 15. Make an appointment online today!
July 19, 2010
Austin Police are 2010 Boots vs Badges Champs!Congratulations to both the Austin Fire Department and Austin Police Department for another successful blood drive competition. Austin police showed their strength with 107 participants, earning bragging rights and the trophy for the next year. Austin firefighters made it a close competition with 103 participants.
The Blood Center exceeded our goal of 200 participants this year! Thanks again to all of the participants and to both departments. They clearly know that Life is in their hands. We look forward to next year!
July 15, 2010
Blue Bell Pint for Pint
August 1 - 14
Donate at any fixed site location or mobile blood drive and receive a FREE pint of Blue Bell ice cream. Donors that donate at a mobile drive will receive a coupon redeemable at any donor center location. Last day to redeem coupons is August 15. Make an appointment online today!
July 12, 2010
3rd Annual Boots vs Badges Blood Drive Competition and Trophy Presentation!
Monday, July 12-Saturday, July 17
Boots vs Badges returns for the third consecutive year! Donate blood in honor of your favorite local hero. Donors may donate at any Donor Center between July 12-17.
The trophy presentation for this year's winner will be held on Monday, July 19 at the Austin Donor Center located at 4300 N Lamar Blvd at 9:30am. We welcome the public to attend and help pay tribute to both organizations. Their hard work in recruiting donors and helping to assure that the community’s blood supply remains at a safe level throughout the summer deserves both recognition and a round of applause.
Be sure to tell staff you are donating on behalf of the Boots vs Badges blood drive competition. To schedule an appointment online, visit inyourhandsonline.org and enter sponsor code "bootsvsbadges". Walk-ins are always welcome!
July 7, 2010
Congratulations to Ryleigh Gilpin for winning the Fuji Sunfire 3.0 Trail Hybrid bicycle donated by Performance Bicycle! Thanks to all of our donors for coming out to donate over the holiday weekend.
June 25, 2010
Tweet for BloodFriday, July 9
8:00am-5:00pm at the North Lamar Donor Center
The Blood Center is hosting a Twitter event at the Lamar Donor Center! All donors will receive a coupon for a free TacoDeli Breakfast Taco. For more information, call 512-206-1266.
June 22, 2010
Sundaes on Sundays Returns!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!
June 21, 2010
Austin's Park and Pizza July Blood DrivesJuly 2, 3, 9, 10 and 11 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
16231 Interstate 35 Frontage Road
Pflugerville, TX 78660-3196
Donate blood July 2, 3, 9, 10 or 11 and enjoy a day at Austin's Park and Pizza! The first 30 people to donate each day will receive a wristband into the park with free admission and unlimited access to games and food. All donors that present to donate after the first 30 donors will receive 50% off admission to the park. Have some summer fun and help save lives!
June 21, 2010
Independence Weekend Bike Giveaway!
Thursday, July 1 - Monday, July 5
Donate at any Donor Center or mobile blood drive Thursday, July 1 through Sunday, July 4 and be automatically entered to win a Fuji Sunfire 3.0 Trail Hybrid bicycle donated by Performance Bicycle. The winner will also receive two $25 gift cards to Performance Bicycle! Make an appointment online today or call 512-206-1266. Only the North Lamar Donor Center will be open on Monday, July 5 due to the Independence Day Holiday. Please call for hours of operation. Drawing will be held on Tuesday, July 6.
June 1, 2010
Win a $1,000 Simon Malls Visa Gift Card
Returning this year is our fantastic promotion for folks who get out and try to donate during the summer months when donations typically decrease. Any donor who attempts to donate at one of our fixed site locations or mobile drives during the months of June, July and August will be automatically entered to win a $1000 Simon Malls Visa card. Have some summer fun on us!
Drawing will be held on September 2. Winner need not be present to win.
May 20, 2010
Blood Center Holiday Hours for Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day
Memorial Day: Monday, May 31. All locations will be closed, except Lamar. Operating hours at Lamar (whole blood and apheresis) will be 8:00am to 3:00pm.
Sunday, July 4: Normal operating hours 10:00am to 3:00pm.
Monday, July 5: All locations will be closed, except Lamar. Lamar (whole blood and apheresis) will be open 8:00am to 3:00pm.
Labor Day: Monday, September 6. All locations will be closed, except Lamar. Lamar ( whole blood and apheresis) will be open 8:00am to 3:00pm.
Whole Blood Double Point Days
August 1-7
September 1-11
October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25
As a Hands of the Donor member, you earn points with each blood donation. Plan to donate on a Double Point Day and rack up points to redeem on the Online Rewards Store. Save lives & earn cool merchandise. Learn more about Hands of the Donor here.
Apheresis donors will receive double points on all Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays in 2010. Platelet double points are subject to hospital demands and point days may be changed at the discretion of The Blood Center to meet hospital needs. Help us keep up with the patient demand for platelets and schedule your platelet donation now. Contact the Apheresis department at 206-1231.
May 4, 2010
Twilight 5K Run to Benefit The Blood Center of Central Texas
Red Licorice Events selected The Blood Center of Central Texas as the beneficiary for their Twilight-themed 5K run on Saturday, June 26. The event will take place at the Hill Country Galleria. A minimum of $1 per participant will go to The Blood Center.
March 22, 2010
Winner of the $1,000 HEB Gift Card Spring Promotion
Congratulations to Jarod Garza for winning the $1,000 HEB gift card for our spring break promotion! Thank you to all of our donors for your support of The Blood Center and for understanding that life is in your hands.
March 15, 2010
March 9, 2010
Win a $1,000 HEB Gift CardDonate between March 14-20 at any fixed site location or mobile blood drive and be entered to win a $1,000 HEB gift card.
Make an appointment online today or call 512-206-1266.
February 18, 2010
SPECIAL NEWS UPDATE:
Central Texas Blood Supply Remains Strong
Based on information available at this time, injuries from the recent plane crash into a Northwest Austin office building have not resulted in the need for blood transfusions.
We truly appreciate the desire to save lives by donating blood. However, the blood supply in Central Texas is strong and is currently adequate to meet both routine and emergency needs. In order to ensure the continued stability of the blood supply, rather than give a donation today, we encourage you to make an appointment now to donate during the spring and summer months and continue to donate once a quarter.
By keeping our blood supply stable year round, you assure that The Blood Center can continue to meet the needs of all Central Texans.
February 3, 2010
Muchas Gracias Univision for a Successful Event!
Univision hosted their program “En Su Comunidad” at the South Austin Donor Center this past Friday. Univision invited the community to come out and meet key local organizations including: Police Department; Girl Scouts; Mexican Consulate; Univision Radio; and Univision News Team. Donors braved the cold weather to come in and donate blood. Thank you to everyone who contributed to saving over 22 lives last Friday!
Here is a clip of our spokesperson, Sonia Salinas. Sonia speaks about her unique story and the importance of donating blood.
January 22, 2010
Austin Flea Benefits The Blood and Tissue Center!Saturday, February 6
11am – 5pm
The Ghost Room, 304 West 4th StreetGet your Valentine’s Day shopping done at the Austin Flea! This year's Austin Flea will benefit The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas. Vendor booth fees and $2 entry fees will go straight to BTC.
There will be some amazing local vendors, live music and The Ghost Room on 4th street is a great place to spend your Saturday. Mark your calendars!! Visit
www.austinflea.info for more information.
January 22, 2010
CURRENT U.S. BLOOD SUPPLY IS ADEQUATE TO HANDLE DEMANDS RESULTING FROM EARTHQUATE IN HAITI
The current blood supply in the United States is adequate to support the present needs of Haitian hospitals, though ongoing infrastructure and transportation issues in Haiti could delay receipt of those supplies to patients. To help ensure that the U.S. blood supply remains adequate, the task force recommends that people wanting to donate call their local blood donation centers to schedule an appointment for the coming weeks and months, especially eligible donors who are Type O-negative. The task force will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if blood needs change.
"U.S. blood banks have enough blood to meet the immediate medical needs of Haiti earthquake victims," said Dale Malloy, chairman of the task force. "We are in contact with health care organizations in Haiti, and task force members are diligently working to overcome the logistical challenges to ensure that vital, yet perishable, blood products reach the patients in Haiti."
Those interested in donating blood may contact The Blood Center at 512-206-1266 to schedule an appointment.
New Weight Requirement for Whole Blood Donors
On January 12, 2010, The Blood Center began using the standard 500ml blood bag for whole blood collection. Because these bags hold slightly more blood (approximately 3 tablespoons) than the bags used in the past, the minimum weight requirement for a whole blood donor is now 123lbs. Platelet donor minimum weight requirement remains at 110 lbs.
December 11, 2009
One Bloom At a Time
King Florist's "One Bloom At a Time" is a give back program established to help local non-profit organizations. Mention The Blood Center of Central Texas and King Florist will take 5% off your order and contribute the amount to The Blood Center. There is no minimum purchase price and King Florist will track all orders. Help save lives one bloom at a time!
November, 30, 2009
UT vs. A&M Challenge Results!
Congratulations UT fans! UT supporters came through with 529 blood donations while A&M supporters had 195 blood donations during our UT vs. A&M Blood Drive Challenge. The Blood Center would also like to congratulate Jan Bland for winning tickets to the UT vs. A&M football game on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you to everyone who donated!
November 2, 2009
The Blood and Tissue Center plants seed for Endowment Fund
The Blood and Tissue Center has set the goal of raising $50,000 to establish an Endowment Fund for the first time. This Endowment Fund will provide perpetual support to The Center and reinforce our committment to provide the highest quality of service to our customers. The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas Endowment Fund has been created under the Austin Community Foundation, which currently manages over 750 individual, family, corporate, non-profit and scholarship funds.
Our hope is that the Endowment Fund will grow from year to year through earnings and continued contributions from our valued supporters. Please consider making a founding contribution to the Endowment Fund by contacting Vicki Vinterella, Director of Development, at 512-206-1210 or
vvinterella@inyourhands.org.
