South Texas Blood & Tissue Center News

The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, a subsidiary of BioBridge Global, offers a variety of ways for you to stay connected with us. You can read our latest press releases or Annual Reports. Visit the Events Page to find out what’s coming up. You can watch a video clip from a newscast, view past events in the Photo Gallery or read industry news. For the social media enthusiast, the BioBridge family is known as “Connect for Life,” and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Also visit the our official blog here.

Media is welcome to contact the Corporate Communications Department for more information. We offer:

  • 
Interviews with experts in their respective medical fields
  • Interviews with Life Links - community members touched by the services of BioBridge Global and its subsidiaries.
  • Informative tours of the facility
Please contact:
Corporate Communications
Phone: (210) 731-5519
Mobile: (210) 296-9026
Email: crd@biobridgeglobal.org

 

Recent News Articles

UPDATE: Alamodome Blood Drive extended through Friday

Venue allows for proper social distancing; all donors will be required to make appointments to manage flow and avoid crowding
March 16, 2020
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center has teamed up with the City of San Antonio to hold a special community blood drive at the Alamodome this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

The Alamodome was selected because it allows for the recommended social distancing between donor beds and in waiting areas.

Read more

South Texas blood supply at risk of collapse as Coronavirus concerns lead to drop in blood donations

Mayor urges community to give blood to prevent secondary public health emergency
March 14, 2020

stbtc_mayor_press_conferenceThe community blood supply is at risk of collapse as drives are cancelled and donations decline because of concerns about coronavirus, said officials from the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, a subsidiary of BioBridge Global.

They joined Mayor Ron Nirenberg and local hospital physicians to urge blood donation as a safe action people can take at a time when many feel powerless. An increase is critical to prevent a secondary public health crisis caused by a depleted blood supply.  

Read more

South Texas Blood taking steps to protect donors and maintain blood supply in case of coronavirus spread

March 10, 2020

The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC), a subsidiary of BioBridge Global, has taken additional steps to protect blood donors and to maintain an adequate blood supply in preparation for the possible further spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States.

STBTC is asking all donors to disclose any travel to countries where COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, has been widespread. Maps based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been posted in donor rooms, on bloodmobiles and at community and business-based blood drives.

Read more

FDA grants South Texas Blood & Tissue Center a supplement to its biologics license for cold-stored platelets with 14-day storage period

Approved for treatment of actively bleeding patients when conventional platelets are not available, or their use is not practical
February 28, 2020
cold_stored_platelets

On February 21, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) approval to manufacture and distribute cold-stored platelets with a shelf life of 14 days for the treatment of actively bleeding patients when conventional platelets are not available, or their use is not practical. 

Platelets are a key blood component constantly in demand for treating severe bleeding, for example in trauma and maternal hemorrhage patients.   

STBTC, a subsidiary of BioBridge Global, is the first civilian blood center in the United States to receive a supplemental approval to produce cold-stored platelets for use in treating actively bleeding patients through day 14 of storage when conventional platelet products are unavailable, or their use is not practical.

Read more

Blood donations top 3,200 in response to appeal from South Texas Blood & Tissue Center

Blood supply still fragile; new and existing donors encouraged to make donation a habit in 2020
January 14, 2020

South Texans responded to last week’s appeal for blood, making 3,229 donations Jan. 7-12 to help re-stock hospitals throughout the more than 48 counties in the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center’s service area. 

But the needs of patients throughout the region are continuing to put a strain on supplies. One major automobile accident has the potential to wipe out the community’s blood supply in just a few hours. Several local hospitals had trauma cases recently that used dozens of units of blood, wiping out inventories.

STBTC is continuing to encourage both new and existing donors to make at least four donations each in 2020. Just one more lifesaving gift from every donor in South Texas would keep patients and their caregivers from worrying about postponing surgeries or missing a transfusion because of a blood shortage.

Read more

Pages