Uwalde, Texas (CBS)
After a mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas that killed at least 19 children and two adults, a large blood bank in San Antonio, Texas, delivered 25 units of donated blood to the small town of Uwalde. South Texas Blood and Tissue is now asking the public for additional donations.
A statement from the organization said it had sent 15 units of low-titer whole blood O, which is used in emergencies because it can be transfused on the spot or in an ambulance, in Uwalde by helicopter. Upon receiving a request for more, they sent an additional 10 units of negative blood to a hospital in Uwalde on Tuesday afternoon.
The organization has already planned a blood action on Wednesday at the Uwalde Herby Ham activity center and is urging people to donate blood in their area.
“We will continue to work with hospitals in the area to make blood available as needed and restore it to other patients in need,” the organization said.
Our hearts are with the Uvalde community. ♥ ️ Tomorrow at Herby Ham Activity we are holding an emergency blood campaign…
Published by South Texas Blood & Tissue on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
In a Facebook post, South Texas Blood and Tissue said she has only 26 units left and she is asking for help before the holiday weekend to make sure they have enough. The organization made a request on the Brothers in Arms Facebook page, which is a program for male donors of the O-positive type.
The University of Health, a large system of hospitals in San Antonio, also encourages people to help victims of the shooting by donating blood.
Earlier, the Uwalde Memorial Hospital said it was treating 13 children from ambulances and buses, and that two people who arrived at the hospital had died. The second hospital reportedly cared for a 66-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl, both in critical condition. Another hospital said it was caring for two adults, both also in critical condition.
