United Tissue Resources

02/13/2026

Valentine's Day is National Donor Day!

Share the love and register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at www.DonateLifeTexas.org. Thank you to all donors, registered donors, donor families, and living donors for your generosity! 💙💚❤️

Learn more about National Donor Day (and download National Donor Day Valentine cards!) at https://www.donatelife.net/celebrations/national-donor-day/.

02/11/2026

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are problems present at birth that affect the structure and function of the heart. They are the most common birth defect in the U.S., affecting approximately 40,000 babies each year.

One treatment for CHDs is the replacement of defective heart valves with a valve donated by a deceased infant donor. In 2025, the decisions of donor families allowed United Tissue Resources to make 101 cardiac grafts available (pediatric and adult) to save lives in our service area.

02/09/2026

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week - Feb. 7-14

"I was born with three congenital heart defects: coarctation of the aorta (my main heart artery was pinched off), multiple VSDs (holes), and spongy myocardium (spongy, non-compacted heart tissue…full of holes!). On my first birthday, when I had just 24-48 hours left to live, I received the gift of life from a 5-month-old in Iowa, named Cole. Today, just over 25 years later, I’m healthy as can be. I have a lot of doctors and specialists following me, but I work as a registered nurse.

I got married in October 2025 (to an amazing man), and we just celebrated our first year in our first house! I have a home full of pets and a truly amazing life! I never would’ve made it past my first year if it weren’t for the selfless act of organ donation. This year, I’ll be competing in the Transplant Games of America for the 4th time, and I will finally be in the quarter-century club, something I’ve strived for my whole life." – Asia

💙💚

02/09/2026

02/08/2026

A Little "Big Game" Perspective

The Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, CA holds 68,000+ people. Currently, there are over 100,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list. Each day, 13 people pass away waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. We have the power to .

Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor today at www.DonateLifeTexas.org

💙💚🏈

02/04/2026

In 2001, Officer Jason Schechterle was responding to a call when a collision turned his patrol car into an inferno. Trapped inside, he suffered third- and fourth-degree burns over much of his body, and doctors were uncertain he would survive his injuries. Jason did survive, but the journey that followed was long and grueling. What carried him through was not only extraordinary medical care but the selfless generosity of his tissue donors – people he would never get to meet. Jason is keenly aware that his survival is tied to the decisions of donors and donor families who, in moments of unimaginable loss or quiet generosity, chose to help someone else. Jason believes that we all have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it, and that donation is one of the most profound ways to do so.

During National Burn Awareness Week, we recognize individuals like Jason not only for their resilience but also for what their stories reveal about humanity at its best: behind every survivor is a chain of compassion, and behind every recovery is a donor whose legacy lives on. 💙💚

Thank you to for sharing this story!

02/03/2026

National Women Physicians Day recognizes the achievements of female physicians, promotes gender equality in medicine, and highlights the contributions of women to healthcare.

On this day, we highlight Dr. Michelle Berger, whose time in the practice of medicine included direct patient care and servant leadership as president of both the Texas Ophthalmological Association and Travis County Medical Society. She currently serves as a member of the United Tissue Resources Board of Managers.

We join in honoring the pioneering achievements and ongoing contributions of female physicians like Dr. Berger!

02/02/2026

February is American Heart Month

More than 3,900 people in the U.S. are waiting for a donor heart. Thousands more, children and adults, will benefit from the gift of donor heart valves.

Register your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor and learn more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation at www.DonateLifeTexas.org

01/29/2026

5 things you didn't know about tissue donation:

1️⃣ One tissue donor can help up to 75 people

Unlike organ donation, tissue donation includes corneas, heart valves, skin, bone, tendons, and more — meaning one donor's gift can heal dozens of lives.

2️⃣ Almost anyone can be a tissue donor

Even if you can't donate organs due to age or medical conditions, you can likely still donate tissue. About 85% of people are eligible.

3️⃣ Cornea donation works regardless of your vision

Wear glasses? Have eye disease? You can still donate corneas and restore sight to someone who is blind.

4️⃣ Tissue donation doesn't delay funeral arrangements

Donation doesn't interfere with funeral plans or prevent an open-casket service. Donors are treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

5️⃣ All major religions support it

Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism all view organ and tissue donation as an act of compassion and generosity.

Most people don't realize how powerful tissue donation is ... or that almost anyone can be a donor, regardless of age or medical history.

Y'all in?

Register your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor at DonateLifeTexas.org

01/22/2026

We celebrate our friends at We Are Blood for the well-deserved recognition that they received from the City of Austin, for the work that they and others in the blood community do! Happy Blood Donor Month!

01/19/2026

On this National Day of Service, thank you to all who are helping others. You can help save and heal lives by registering your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor at www.DonateLifeTexas.org