On the eve of Saturday’s community blood drive at the AT&T Center, a San Antonio mom urged everyone to roll up their sleeves.
“There’s a crisis now, and we need people to donate,” said Brandi Morkovsky.
Blood donation is a personal issue for Morkovsky. Her daughter, Amy, relies on blood transfusions to stay alive.
The 3-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia on Jan. 13, 2021. In the last year, Amy received seven blood transfusions.
“This year has felt like 10 [years]. When she was diagnosed on that day…it was incredibly difficult,” Morkovsky said.
According to the Red Cross, cancer patients, accident victims, and people with blood disorders also depend on donations.
Unfortunately, Morkovsky worried her daughter won’t be able to continue depending on those donations.
This week, the Red Cross declared it’s first-ever national blood crisis, saying not enough people are donating blood.
To help, Morkovsky took matters into her own hands. Earlier this week, she donated blood through the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.
“I was scared. I knew I had to do it for Amy and for those who need it. I don’t have her blood type. But for those who need [my type], I wanted to do it,” she said.
Morkovsky urged everyone to do the same, if possible.
“It’s one poke and 15 minutes of your time…and once you’re done, you’ve saved a life,” she said.
Saturday’s blood drive is taking place at the AT&T Center from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Also on KSAT.com:
American Red Cross declares national blood crisis as donations decline during pandemicDoctors and patients worry during nationwide blood crisisMayor Ron Nirenberg declares blood emergency in San Antonio, Bexar County