Community Blood Supply at Critical Levels; DeTar Encourages Advance Sign-Ups for March 5 Blood Drive
2/16/2026
The need for blood in the Crossroads has reached critical levels, and local patients are depending on donors to step up now. With less than a one-day supply of some blood types currently available, advance appointments are essential to ensure a successful upcoming blood drive.
DeTar Healthcare System is partnering with South Texas Blood & Tissue to host a community blood drive on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive will take place in DeTar’s Education Classroom in the MediCenter, 506 E. San Antonio Street, located on the campus of DeTar Hospital Navarro in Victoria.
Blood donations play a critical role in supporting trauma patients, surgical patients, cancer patients, and others in need of lifesaving transfusions. Each donation can help save up to four lives.
“We are encouraging anyone who is willing and able to take a short amount of time from their day to donate,” said Martha Young, BSMT (ASCP) SH, laboratory clinical director at DeTar Healthcare System. “There’s no greater gift than the gift of life.”
The local goal for the March 5 drive is to collect 38 units of blood, but the need is urgent.
“We’re in a critical situation,” said Joby Stortz, account manager with South Texas Blood & Tissue. “We currently have less than a one-day supply of O-positive and O-negative blood on hand, and less than a three-day supply of all other blood types. Ideally, we should maintain a five- to seven-day supply. This shortage is very concerning for both emergencies and scheduled treatments.”
More than 45,000 units of blood are transfused every day in the United States, with more than 25% supporting patients battling cancer. Yet fewer than 3% of eligible Americans donate blood on average. All blood types are currently needed.
Additionally Stortz shared that with Spring Break coming around the corner, the need for blood, as well as the decrease in donations is concerning. “Blood collections often take a 30%+ decline for the Spring Break period (2 weeks), while accidents and traumas increase during this time period. Donating blood in advance of the Spring Break holiday helps to ensure we have supplies on hand.”
To help ensure the drive meets its goal, appointments are strongly encouraged. Scheduling in advance allows organizers to properly staff the drive and maximize collections.
To reserve a donation time, visit https://donor.southtexasblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/152709.
Walk-ins are welcome, but advance registration is the best way to guarantee your opportunity to donate.
All successful donors will receive a limited-edition T-shirt as a token of appreciation.
“If you can’t donate, we urge you to help by sharing the message on social media or encouraging someone else to step up,” Stortz added. “Your gift of blood donation helps so many.”
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