SAN ANTONIO – South Texas Blood & Tissue is offering blood donors a chance to trade a routine donation for a weekend at the racetrack in Austin.
From now until Oct. 8, anyone who gives blood at any South Texas Blood & Tissue donor center and uses the promo code RACE when making an appointment will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets for the United States Grand Prix weekend on Oct. 25 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. The organization said the seats for the Formula 1 race are in the covered grandstands, and parking is included.
“Donating blood is a simple way to make a lifesaving difference for patients in our community. Now, it could also put you on the road to an unforgettable racing experience,” the organization said in its release.
South Texas Blood & Tissue highlighted the ongoing need for donations, noting that blood or platelets are needed every two seconds in the United States. Donated blood supports patients during emergencies, childbirth, surgeries, cancer treatment, and other serious conditions, according to the release.
The organization also shared the story of Chris Martin, who had an adverse reaction to a donated kidney and needed blood transfusions to stay alive. Martin said he has needed transfusions since then and remembers how quickly he felt the impact.
“After blood transfusions, you notice an immediate difference,” Martin said. “It’s kind of a return to normalcy.”
Today, Martin is taking part in a paired donation program while waiting for another kidney, according to the release.
Eligible donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment at SouthTexasBlood.org. Appointments can also be made by calling 833-You-GIVE or 210-731-5590. The organization said donors should bring a photo ID, complete a brief questionnaire, and donate.
In addition to the drawing, South Texas Blood & Tissue said anyone who gives at a donor center earns donor points that can be redeemed in the Donor Store for gift cards, Spurs swag and more.
South Texas Blood & Tissue is a nonprofit community blood center that provides blood, plasma, platelets and other blood components to 110 hospitals in 49 South Texas counties. It has nine donor centers in South Texas and conducts hundreds of mobile blood drives each year, according to the organization.