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Reed Kerne and his family know firsthand the need for blood donations — his mother Kallie suffered from maternal hemorrhage after his birth, requiring multiple transfusions.
She was fortunate that there was emergency blood available. But as older blood donors begin to face conditions that limit their ability to donate, fewer young donors are stepping up to take their places — creating a challenge in a fast-growing community opening multiple new hospitals that require blood to treat more patients.
That’s why Kerne, a student at St. John Paul II High School, and three other area students — Jonah Nirenberg (CAST Tech High School), Sofia Moreno-Salinas (Alamo Heights High School) and Savannah Salas (Antonian College Preparatory High School) — are serving as student champions for this year’s Red and White Ball, an annual fundraising gala hosted by The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation to support blood donations and other lifesaving activities.
This year’s proceeds will help cover the costs of growing the number and size of high school blood drives, a key target in the effort to reverse declines in the number of young blood donors.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, high school drives contributed nearly 25% of annual blood donations collected by South Texas Blood & Tissue, a subsidiary of local nonprofit BioBridge Global.
The closure of high school campuses during the pandemic led to a deep decrease in high school blood drives, and the number of high school donations has been slow to recover. Now, the blood center hopes to bring high school collections back to pre-pandemic levels, which will require 10,000 more blood donations from high school donors within the next few years.
Because there are significant costs involved in adding and growing blood drives — as much as $80 for just the supplies required to collect a single blood donation — the champions are raising funds to help offset these costs.
“We know that it is critical to increase high school blood drives and build the next generation of blood donors,” said Scott McMillian, 2024 Foundation Chair and Chairman of Sendero. “We are thrilled that these students are lending their voices to help ensure a strong blood supply for our community, now and in the future.”
Red & White Ball Student Champions
Jonah Nirenberg comes from a family of blood donors. He knows family members who have received blood and others, like his father Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who regularly donate. Then he had an eye-opening tour of the South Texas Blood & Tissue facilities.
“After touring and seeing the lack of blood donations and supply on hand, it made me realize how important it was to help with the shortage,” Jonah Nirenberg said.
Jonah Nirenberg actively volunteers in the community and abroad. He has taken part in Students of Service and serves as president of the National Honor Society at his high school, CAST Tech.
Sofia Moreno-Salinas finds time to give back to the community despite her busy life at Alamo Heights High School. She practices ballet every day and hopes to become a professional ballerina. She is also a member of the National Charity League and has volunteered for organizations like Haven for Hope, Meals on Wheels and Snack Pack 4 Kids.
Moreno-Salinas wants to raise awareness about blood donation with her peers because she knows it will make a direct impact on patients in the community.
“I am motivated because I am helping and saving people’s lives,” she said.
Savannah Salas realizes her voice can make a difference. She volunteers through her local church and school organizations. Now, she wants to make sure patients in the community are receiving the blood when they need it.
“I really want to work with those in my community to help those who may not be getting the support they need,” Salas said. “This is a huge way to make a visible, meaningful impact on all those people.”
Salas is rallying her peers at Antonian College Preparatory High School and encouraging them to become blood donors.
Reed Kerne’s family connection motivates him to both raise funds and encourage his peers at his St. John Paul II High School to donate blood.
“My mom had to receive bags of blood right after having me and it helps me know this is important,” Kerne said.
When he is not focused on helping the community, Kerne likes to travel and hike at national parks. He aspires to work in computer science and engineering.
In addition to these four students, Oralia Ortiz (DOCUmation) will also be raising awareness and funds to help grow high school blood drives.
You can help these Champions ensure the future of the blood supply – visit RedAndWhiteBallSA.org/Champions to learn more about them, support them and make a donation.
