Heroes in Arms Program Arrives in Lubbock

UMC Lubbock has partnered with South Texas Blood & Tissue to offer whole blood transfusions for patients in pre-hospital settings as part of the Heroes in Arms (HIA) program.

The Heroes in Arms program provides whole blood to emergency responders, including UMC Lubbock EMS, for transfusion at the scene of emergencies. UMC Lubbock began carrying the HIA blood units on selected EMS vehicles in July.

The HIA program allows EMS vehicles, medical helicopters, and trauma centers to carry O-positive blood which contain low antibody levels allowing for universal transfusion. Specially trained team members can transfuse the blood to patients in critical situations before they reach the hospital.

“Access to blood when a patient needs it matters most,” said Audra Taylor, Executive Director of Blood Operations at South Texas Blood & Tissue. “Before a patient gets to the hospital, at the scene of an accident or in an ambulance, blood can mean the difference between life and death, healthy recovery or long-term disabilities.”

The Heroes in Arms program follows research by the U.S. Army showing improved survival rates for trauma patients who were

SPC to Honor Law Enforcement Academy Graduates

South Plains College will honor the 2023 Law Enforcement Academy graduates during a ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 3) in the Sundown Room. The class will feature 11 graduates. The graduates will include Amyah Newman of Levelland; Jennifer Garcia and Analyssa Garza, both of Lubbock; and Brendon Ballard, Brennen Ballard and Isabel Rivas, all of Plainview.

Other graduates include Savannah Cash of Tyler, Cody Ellington of Vernon, Wyatt Lay of Dumas, Ethan Rodriguez of Kyle and William Smith of Loraine.

For more details about the SPC Law Enforcement Program, contact Debbie Hale, departmental administrative assistant to Professional Services and Energy, at (806) 716-2291.

Veteran & Military Connection

DATES TO REMEMBER transfused whole blood, as opposed to blood that has been separated into its three major components (plasma, platelets and red cells.)

A study published in the Annals of Surgery journal last year confirmed the statistics from the military.

“Compared with BCT [blood component therapy] the use of WB [whole blood] was associated with a 48% reduction in mortality in trauma patients,” the study’s conclusions said. “Our study supports the use of WB use in the resuscitation of trauma patients.”

The Heroes in Arms program allows donors with O-positive blood and low levels of certain antibodies to donate whole blood. UMC Lubbock will be hosting a special blood drive with South Texas Blood & Tissue to test O-positive donors for the HIA program and notifying those eligible to participate in the program.

The Lubbock community and all first responders can become donors and potentially join the Heroes in Arms Program by participating in the upcoming blood drive. The blood drive will be held on August 2 and 3 at UMC Lubbock (602 Indiana Avenue). Appointments can be made online at SouthTexasBlood. org/UMCLubbock or by calling 210- 731-5590.