Texas State University student organizations are coming together this fall to support the Central Texas blood supply through campus blood drives hosted in partnership with We Are Blood.
The “Cats Save Lives!” blood drive is scheduled for Sept. 24, and intends to bring in more than 70 donors through the efforts of four TXST student organizations: the Panhellenic Council, Mu Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Fraternity, University Ambassadors, and Health Occupation Students of America.
The drive comes as blood supplies remain a critical need across the country. The American Red Cross has declared its second-ever blood supply crisis, highlighting the importance of local blood donations. In Central Texas, We Are Blood serves as the exclusive blood provider for major hospitals across 10 counties.
“We Are Blood is proud to partner with multiple student organizations and the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department at Texas State University for this lifesaving blood drive,” said Nick Canedo, vice president of community engagement at We Are Blood. “Blood transfusion needs have increased significantly in recent years, and every donation made at the ‘Cats Save Lives!’ blood drive will help patients across Central Texas and Hays County.”
For TXST, the September drive represents a return to a stronger tradition of campus blood drives. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the university regularly hosted multiple blood drives each year through various departments, offices, and student organizations.
“We believe that every donation can make a difference, and even one donation has the potential to help save a life,” said student representatives of TXST HOSA.
TXST hosted five blood drives and collected 177 donations in 2017, potentially impacting 531 lives. In 2019, six drives resulted in 146 donations, and nine drives in 2020 collected 170 donations. Following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of campus drives and donations declined.
In 2024, TXST hosted two drives and collected 22 donations. In 2025, two drives resulted in 36 donations.
With support from the Translational Health Research Center and participating student organizations, organizers are working to rebuild campus participation and increase the university’s impact on the Central Texas blood supply.
“Blood donation is just a small act of service that can make such a difference, and I am looking forward to seeing the difference we will make with our effort,” said Aubrey Haynes, vice president of service and philanthropy for the Texas State Panhellenic Council.
The September drive is one of several opportunities for the TXST community to participate this semester. Two additional blood drives are scheduled for October. Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Theta Psi Chapter, will host a drive on Oct. 19, followed by a drive hosted by Dawn Robarts, Ph.D., professor of instruction, and the Department of Health and Human Performance on Oct. 28.
“I want them to all know their blood will definitely be used,” said Nathalie Austin, clinical assistant professor and co-clinical coordinator in the Medical Laboratory Science program in the School of Health Professions. “In some cases, it will be used to save a life. It will be used to extend a life or just better the health of someone.”