By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
A community blood drive is Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Del Rio Civic Center, 1915 Veterans Blvd.
Edward Guerrero, executive director of the Miss Val Verde Texas USA Pageant, is coordinating the event, to give some of the local queens a chance to give back to the community.
“We want our queens to have a chance to give back to the community through various projects during the year,” Guerrero said. “By them organizing this, and working it throughout the day, we are able to help them learn many skills but most importantly, they are giving back by saving lives.”
Tatiana Castillo, 2024 Miss Val Verde Texas and other junior pageant members, will assist with donor check-ins and public outreach throughout the day, as well as helping promote the event in the days prior.
While many will give simply to help save lives, Guerrero and Kelli Baker, director of donor recruitment for South Texas Blood and Tissue, have coordinated Incentives for donors include a free appetizer voucher from Texas Roadhouse and a lucky draw e-gift card valued between $10 and $150.
Organizers hope the giveaways will help boost turnout at a time when local blood supplies are dangerously low—especially for O positive and O negative types, which are critical for trauma and emergency care, Baker said. “Right now, we don’t have a day’s worth of O positive and O negative on the shelves,” she added.
The drive is being held during National Donate Life Month, emphasizing the life-saving impact of blood donation for surrounding communities and hospitals. Officials are urging the public to attend and help address the urgent need.
