DeTar Healthcare System Celebrates One of Its Largest Blood Drive Turnouts

11/24/2025

Urges Community to Keep Donating During the Holiday Season

More than 40 Crossroads residents, the majority being DeTar employees, rolled up their sleeves on Thursday, November 20, making last week’s community blood drive at DeTar Healthcare System one of the strongest local turnouts in recent years. The strong response comes at a crucial time, as the region enters the holiday season and demand for lifesaving blood remains high.

“This level of response shows the true spirit of Victoria and the incredible commitment of our own team,” said Brett Maxfield, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System. “I want to offer a special thank-you to our DeTar employees who took time out of their day to donate or to encourage their coworkers to do so. Their support helps save lives across our region, and we are deeply grateful. For those who couldn’t make it, we hope you’ll consider donating in the coming days — every donation truly matters.”

While the community stepped up in a big way, the need for blood across South Texas remains urgent. According to South Texas Blood & Tissue, there is currently a four-day supply of most blood types — but less than a one-day supply of O-positive and O-negative blood. These types are in especially high demand, with O-negative serving as the universal blood type for emergencies and O-positive being the most common in South Texas.

The holiday season typically brings a sharp decline in donations as families travel and schools go on break. Yet the need never slows. A blood transfusion is needed in the United States every two seconds, and more than 30% of donated blood supports patients battling cancer. With rapid population growth in South Texas, the strain on the region’s blood supply continues to intensify.

“Only about 3% of Americans donate blood each year,” said Joby Stortz, regional account manager for South Texas Blood & Tissue. “As we enter the holiday season, we’re urging the community to stay engaged. Even one donation can help save multiple lives. We also encourage everyone to join the Commit 4 Compassion challenge, donating or hosting a blood drive four times a year to help stabilize our lifesaving supply.” Those wishing to explore hosting a blood drive are encouraged to contact Joby Stortz at joby.stortz@southtexasblood.org.

A Season of Thanks — and Giving Back

As families gather for Thanksgiving, DeTar Healthcare System encourages residents who were unable to participate in Thursday’s drive to schedule an appointment at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Donor Center, located next to H-E-B Plus in Victoria.

Hours of operation include:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day
Walk-ins are welcome. Schedule an appointment here: South Texas Blood – Donor Portal - https://donor.southtexasblood.org/donor/schedules/center/7

Looking Ahead to Giving Tuesday – December 2

This Giving Tuesday, while considering financial donations to the many remarkable nonprofits serving the Crossroads, DeTar invites the community to also “give the gift of life” through a blood donation.

Blood donations play a critical role in supporting patients across the region. Every donation can help save up to four local 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.”

Stephanie King, MHA , director - physician practice management at DeTar, donates the gift of life at the November 20 Blood Drive held in DeTar’s Education Classroom

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