EDINBURG, Texas – The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team announced Thursday that they are hosting a blood drive on Saturday from 12:00-to-3:30 p.m. at Edinburg Baseball Stadium in honor of Nolan Naranjo, a young boy from Brownsville with a rare bone marrow disease known as Aplastic Anemia.
 
All donors will receive a free ticket to that day's doubleheader between the Broncs and University of Northern Colorado, which starts at 1:00 p.m. at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
 
Donors are reminded to eat a hearty meal in advance and to bring their photo ID. It is also important to stay hydrated before donating. United Blood Services will have free snacks and water for all donors.
 
Aplastic Anemia is an illness that occurs when bone marrow stops making enough red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets for the body.
 
The Broncs also hold an annual blood drive for Jiada Grace Ortiz, a four-year old Rio Grande Valley resident with the same disease.
 
Every year, almost 5 million Americans need a blood transfusion. All donated blood is thoroughly screened and each pint of donated blood can save three lives.
 
“This is a great cause that can help to save lives,” Broncs head coach Manny Mantrana said.
 
For more information on blood donation, call United Blood Services at (956) 213-7500.
 
The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics competes at the NCAA Division I classification. UTPA, formerly known as Pan American College and Pan American University, is a part of the University of Texas System of Schools. The Broncs compete in 14 varsity sports; men's and women's basketball, golf, tennis, track and field, and cross country, along with women's volleyball and men's baseball. In 1963, then known as Pan American College, the Broncs men's basketball program won the NAIA National Championship with a 73-62 victory over Western Carolina. In 2008 UTPA joined the new all-sports division of the Great West Conference.