We Are Blood: Austin-area blood donations needed this holiday week [Video]

AUSTIN, Texas — As Central Texans head into the holidays this week, Austin’s blood center is asking for the public’s help to make sure it has enough donations to save lives.

We Are Blood is the only provider of donations to hospitals around Central Texas.

Every December, it sees donations dip as people go on vacation or get busy with the holidays. At the same time, demand spikes.

Nick Canedo, vice president of community engagement at We Are Blood, said the need is hitting record levels this year.

“We’ve been seeing year-over-year growth in blood transfusion need in our community – population growth, new hospitals being built, new hospital programs being offered to the community. But this month, especially, we’ve seen a huge spike,” …