The Catholic church views blood and organ donation as an act of charity, fraternal love and self sacrifice. Transplants are ethically and morally acceptable to the Vatican. Pope John Paul II stated, "The Catholic Church would promote the fact that there is a need for organ donors and that Christians should accept this as a "challenge to their generosity and fraternal love" so long as ethical principles are followed."

• The need for Blood and Blood products

• What you can do to donate blood

• Blood drive results

• Volunteer Opportunities

The need for Blood and Blood products rise due to: 

• Increase in traffic accidents
• Decrease in the number of eligible donors
• Increase in elective surgeries
• An aging population

Each year a group of parishioners organize and volunteer to participate in up to five Blood Drives that are held at St. Thomas More.

What you can do to donate blood:

Sign-up for a time to give blood by using the Web form located here:

https://www.stmaustin.org/blood-drive-form:

Appointments can only be made online or by contacting the ministry leader.

Dates & Locations for STM Blood Drives in 2019:

• February 2nd (Family Center)
• May 18th (Family Center)
• July 27th (Family Center)
• September 28th (Family Center)
• November 23rd (Family Center)

2019 Blood Drive Results

February 2nd, 2019

2018 Blood Drive Results:

Total Number of Donations Collected in 2017

2017 Blood Drive Results:

Total Number of Donations Collected in 2017

2016 Blood Drive Results:

Total Number of Donations Collected in 2016

Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteers help raise public awareness by posting event announcements at local businesses, answer donor questions, and refer donors to the appropriate coordinator or your ministry leader.

Other volunteers are asked to call 10 to 15 donors the week prior to the blood drive to remind them of the event and ask if they can participate.

Shift workers are asked to donate 3 hours on the day of the blood drive to assist in the following tasks:

• Helping donors sign in and fill out forms prior to their screening interview. This volunteer also helps keep track of the next person in the line.
• Serving coffee, juice and cookies to donors who have completed their donation.
• Looking after donors and their guests. (Some donors may need extra care, especially if they feel uneasy after donating. Others may have small children that need supervision while they donate.)

If you have a need for Blood or Blood Products not covered by insurance...OR

If you would like to volunteer to help in future Blood Drives...OR

If you have questions regarding the Blood Drive Ministry...OR

Please contact the Blood Drive Ministry Leader and they will be glad to assist you with your matter.

Tom Camardo, #(512) 250-0551, camard1@sbcglobal.net