Huntsville partnered with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in 1998, and has been recruiting blood donors ever since. The Huntsville Churches Blood Drive program teams up with area churches to support a monthly ongoing citywide blood donor program.
Monthly drives initially took place at West Hill Mall, then Forrest Masonic Lodge 19, and then Gibbs Preschool Center. At the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, larger accommodations were provided by the Huntsville Church of Christ, located at 3737 SH 30W. This venue continues to serve as the current site for year-round blood drives, scheduled the second Saturday of each month from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are accepted as well.
The drives are sponsored by volunteers from a number of Huntsville churches. Congregants book appointments, register donors, distribute canteen refreshments, and feed lunch to phlebotomists who travel from the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center facility in College Station.
In-house and mobile drives also take place at Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville High School, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville Police Department, churches, businesses, and restaurants.
Mobile blood drives have started popping up in communities, making it very convenient for donors to participate. Drives have been coordinated in Texas Grand Ranch by Ruth Webb since 2021. Representing the Elkins Lake Community Association, Ramona Denson, began holding drives this year.
Churches, businesses, or communities interested in hosting a blood drive should contact account manager Teresa Bos at tbos@giveblood.org or (888)482-5663.
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is classified as a 501c3 nonprofit organization by the IRS. It receives no operating funds from any other agency. Income is primarily secured from the service fees charged to hospitals that pass the fees on to patients who are actually transfused. Service fees are based primarily on the cost to recruit, collect, test, and ship blood and blood components.
Gulf Coast Regional is one of the largest community blood centers in the United States, serving 170 hospitals and healthcare facilities in a 26-county area, including the largest medical center in the world, Texas Medical Center. The blood center relies on about 1,000 donations every day of the year to meet the demand for blood supply.
Blood is comprised of three vital components, each playing a crucial role in saving lives:
Giving on an ongoing basis helps ensure blood components are always available for the patients served. A commitment to regular donations ensures that the blood center can always meet the demands of patients, saving lives in the process. Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries.
In about one hour, a donor can save as many as 3 lives by giving one pint of blood. Nearly 42,000 blood components are used by patients every day. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion; and 4.2 million Americans will need a blood transfusion each year. 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but of these, only about 3% will actually donate.
Believe it or not, donating blood has some health benefits. Regular blood donation can help maintain healthy iron levels, reduce stress, provide a sense of belonging, and reduce isolation. It can also help get rid of negative feelings.
To check eligibility criteria, contact a Donor Advocate at donoradvocacy@giveblood.org or call (713) 791‑6608, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Visit www.giveblood.org to learn more about general health considerations, as well as topics relating to medication, vaccination, medical condition, and medical treatment.
To book appointment, click on the Donate tab in the blood center’s website and search for upcoming drives in Walker County.
There is no donor age cap. The minimum age to donate is 16, provided the weight requirement is met, and requires the completion of an Underage Donor Informed Consent form.
Before a person can donate, a health history interview is conducted. A CFL [Commit for Life] Express Pass allows a donor to fill out those questions online before showing up to donate blood. The pass, whether printed or emailed to a cell phone, can be scanned at the donation site to retrieve health data.
Incentive giveaways to donors vary from t‑shirts, hoodies, and socks, to tumblers, backpacks, umbrellas, beach towels, and blankets. Entertainment tickets are add-ons during select months.
Additionally, donors who create an account with Gulf Coast can accrue points in its reward program. To begin earning points, create a Digital Donor account within 30 days of giving blood. Points can be redeemed online for retail and restaurant gift cards such as Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Home Depot, Marshall’s/Home Goods, Olive Garden, On The Border, Target, and more.
The need for blood never takes a vacation. By donating this summer, you can help ensure blood is available when it’s needed most. Blood banks across the country tend to experience a significant decline in supply when families travel and schools are on break. Scheduled drives are often cancelled in stormy weather.
Be a hero and roll up your sleeves. Remember to eat, hydrate, and bring your photo identification to a blood drive.
Postcards Magazine
936-293-1188
PO Box 690
Huntsville, TX 77342
