Life Links
 South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Life Links are community members who have been touched by the services of STBTC. They have volunteered to share their extraordinary stories with audiences across the region in an effort to get more people to respond as a volunteer donor and to encourage others to give the gift of life.
"These ambassadors know first-hand the critical nature of our services,” said Dr. Norman Kalmin, CEO/Medical Director and President of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center. “They are people who understand that what it takes to save lives is the simple act of giving.”
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Larry Martin thanks blood donors for helping to save his life.
(Read more) |
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Sisters Olivia and Julia share even more – the gift of restored life. “She’s my hero,” says Olivia.
(Read more.)
Watch Olivia & Julia on the WOAI Living Show Click here. |
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When asked to write an essay for his company newsletter about why he donates blood, Leo Moreno’s answer was simple: “I want to help people.”
(Read more.) |
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Colonel Raymond Holmes is a delightful man with a hearty laugh, a positive outlook on life, a proud history of service to his country, and two units of umbilical cord blood from babies he likely will never know.
(Read more.) |
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Dominic Mazziotta has a condition so rare that only 40 people in the world have received the same diagnosis.
(Read more)
Watch Dominic on the WOAI Living Show Click here. |
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Even as an infant, Stephanie's baby was doing great things.
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In 2008, Mary Montellano learned that she was a near perfect match for a little 7-year-old girl in California. As a mother, her natural instinct was to help this child.
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Life Link Adrian Garcia, wounded in Iraq three years ago, expresses his gratitude to all blood donors.
Read an update on his story here. |
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Carol Elliott is the blood drive chairperson at Samuel Clemens High School in San Antonio. She, too, has needed blood.
(Read more)
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Kia Bailey will always be grateful to the generous donor and skilled doctor who put her life back together.
(Read more.) |
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Early in her life, Angelica Estrada always knew the importance for donating blood.
(Read more.)
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Maria Garcia made her way to the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Donor Pavilion recently to personally thank the people for saving her life.
(Read more.)
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After heart surgery, a bleeding disorder caused Graciela Diaz major blood loss. Twelve units of blood and four units of platelets were used to keep her alive.
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Elizabeth Serrano's baby boy Mazirik began spitting up blood the night after he was born, and needed five transfusions during the next 24 hours. Doctors discovered he had gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining. After 10 days in the hospital, he recovered - thanks to the donors who saved his life.
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Adrian Garcia was a 19-year-old soldier on his first deployment to Iraq when his Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. Blood transfusions saved his life on the battlefield, in spite of injuries so severe that he lost his legs.
"I was fortunate that when I lost a significant amount of blood, they were able to stabilize me and give me transfusions immediately. I want to thank all of the people who donated. You are saving the lives of soldiers in Iraq. You saved my life."
(Read more.)
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Arden is an inspiration - a beautiful, happy child who fills a room with joy, and who could convince anyone to donate blood. Because without the blood that strangers have donated to help kids like Arden, she would not have survived to see her fourth birthday.
(Read more.)
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Jaime Salas first donated when he heard at work about a child who needed blood. Jaime was touched to see that his donation had really helped someone.
He says, "Donating is a selfless act that helps a child grow; lets a mother go home to take care of her children; lets a father go back to work. I feel great. I leave knowing I've helped someone, regardless of why they need it."
(Read more.) |
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Christopher Pinkerton is a young man without limitations. He doens't let the sickle cell anemia that has plagued him since birth curtail his zest for life.
He gets four to six units every four weeks when his energy collapses... and he thinks about the people whose blood is entering his body and gives thanks.
(Read more.) |
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When John McDonald was two years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. He received many blood and platelet transfusions.
(Read the latest update.) |
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Twice in her life, Anita Hoff has relied on generous donations from blood donors. A long-time resident of Seguin, Anita now serves as chairperson for her church's blood drives.
(Read more.) |
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