AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin-Travis County EMS celebrated a major milestone in its Whole Blood Program, administering its 500th unit of whole blood over the weekend. This accomplishment highlights the program's significant growth and its vital role in delivering emergency care to critically injured patients, the agency said in a news release Tuesday. Initiated in late 2021, the Whole Blood Program is a partnership between ATCEMS and We Are Blood, which is aimed at providing blood transfusions as quickly as possible after injury. This greatly enhances survival rates for those facing severe trauma, the release said. Austin-Travis County EMS medics now equipped to provide life-saving blood transfusions in the field “This program has been an undeniable success for our department and has saved countless lives over the last three years,” Chief Deputy Medical Director Dr. Heidi Abraham said in the release. “Every second counts for patients in need of blood transfusions, and rapid intervention at the scene can be the difference between life and death. We are giving these patients the best possible chance of survival.” The program's impact has expanded, with the number of patients receiving field transfusions rising steadily, particularly in the last year. ATCEMS now carries blood on all seven district command units, increasing from three just 11 months ago. Recipients have ranged in age from 2 to 94. “The expansion of this program has truly been a game changer for us, and lifesaving for our patients,” ATCEMS Chief Robert Luckritz said in the release. “Our ability to expand the deployment of blood across our service area has undoubtedly saved many lives in our community, which is exactly what we had hoped for.” The program's success is supported by funding from the Austin City Council and a vital partnership with We Are Blood, the region’s nonprofit blood center. “We Are Blood is proud to work with our community of donors to supply ATCEMS’s pre-hospital transfusion program as they reach this tremendous milestone,” Marian Garrard, CEO of We Are Blood said in the release. “Central Texans can support this lifesaving program by donating at a nearby We Are Blood donor center or mobile drive.” For more information visit EMSRecruiting.org.