01/16/2026
January is National Blood Donor Month 🩸
This month, our UMC Blood Bank wants to remind the community of the importance of donating blood.
As the community's only Level 1 Trauma Center, it is crucial for UMC to have enough blood to care for trauma patients.
Jessica Hernando, UMC’s Blood Bank Lab Supervisor, recalls how, after the mass shooting in El Paso on August 3, the community came together in an incredible way to donate blood. While that response showed the strength of El Pasoans, she emphasizes that it’s important not to wait for tragedy to give.
“Many people donated that day thinking their blood would be used immediately, but it actually takes time for blood to be processed before it’s available to patients,” said Jessica.
She also explained that donating throughout the year is extremely important.
We sincerely thank our fellow El Pasoans who take the time to give blood; you are part of saving lives in our community every day.