We Are Blood Unveils 'Every Drop Counts' Initiative to Address Blood Needs in Central Texas

We Are Blood, Central Texas's only nonprofit blood center, recently introduced its new strategic initiative titled 'Every Drop Counts'. This plan is launched on a pivotal occasion, marking the organization's 75th anniversary and aiming to cater to the rising blood supply demands expected in the region over the next several years.

This ambitious initiative is set to address the anticipated 25% increase in blood product requirements across the ten-county service area. The growing need arises from a surge in population, the establishment of new hospitals, and enhanced medical services. Compared to 2015, We Are Blood is already supplying significantly more—over 96% more platelets and 55% more red blood cells annually.

The 'Every Drop Counts' initiative is structured around four core strategic pillars that encapsulate the vision for sustainable operations and community engagement:

1. Serve

We Are Blood aims to modernize its technical services to further increase capacity. This includes adopting advanced blood processing and inventory management systems to expedite the delivery of essential blood products. A significant move includes the establishment of two new donor centers, with one slated to open in Kyle, Texas, in the summer of 2026. Furthermore, the organization is enhancing its disaster preparedness and boosting its fleet of mobile donation buses to improve accessibility for potential blood donors.

2. Innovate

We Are Blood is committed to pioneering life-saving treatments, including the launch of the region's first Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program in collaboration with Dell Children's Medical Center. This initiative also entails building in-house molecular testing capabilities. The objective is to improve stem cell collection processes, both facilitating the identification of rare blood donors and reducing reliance on outside facilities, thus ensuring local access to critical treatments.

3. Engage

Recognizing the importance of community involvement, We Are Blood plans to enhance engagement with local populations, particularly with younger generations. By forming a community advisory council, they aim to establish dialogues with community leaders, fostering a sense of collaboration in building the local blood supply. This initiative focuses on increasing awareness and support for blood donation within the expanding communities of Central Texas.

4. Empower

The organization is also prioritizing leadership development and recruitment strategies. New programs aimed at cultivating strong leadership within the organization will bolster employee engagement and connection. Initiatives include mentorship and training for frontline staff through the Emerging Leaders Academy, ensuring that the commitment to service resonates deeply within the organization and its workforce.

Marian Garrard, the CEO of We Are Blood, remarked on the strategic plan, saying, "This ensures we can meet the substantial increase in blood products needed to support local patients, providing the resources necessary for community resilience." She emphasized the organization's goal to grow collection operations, enhance services, and motivate more donors, acknowledging the invaluable contributions from every partner, volunteer, and donor.

The 'Every Drop Counts' initiative not only addresses the immediate needs for blood supply but also lays a robust foundation for future growth and community support. In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the organization will host various events throughout the year, encouraging Central Texans to participate in this life-saving mission while highlighting its milestones achieved alongside local partners.

For any further information about how to get involved or to learn more about We Are Blood, visit weareblood.org/every-drop-counts/.

Together, We Are Blood continues to unite the Central Texas community through a shared commitment to health and life-saving actions.