This is an article I wrote about the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center about a year ago, but is worth reading (again)!
You’re probably not surprised to see an article asking you to donate blood, we’re in a pandemic after all, right?
Surprisingly, patients ill with COVID-19 aren’t creating the shortage of blood, reports Gulf Coast Regional Blood spokesperson, Kevin Shipley, it’s all of those responsible citizens staying home. It makes sense if you think about it. As we avoid extra trips out and non-essential social situations, we’ve started to make it a habit to postpone those things we should do, and the Blood Center is feeling the effects.
The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center services 26 counties, which includes Houston and the Houston Medical Center. Though our large population has its fair share of pandemic patients and trauma needs, the greatest demand for blood comes from every day, necessary medical procedures like chemotherapy and childbirth, among others.
It’s safe to say that the need isn’t going away. Did you know that 1 out of 7 people benefit from donations but only 1 out of 20 actually donate? Of those that do, most do so less than once a year. We have some room for improvement here, people! Each blood donation can benefit up to three patients, and as of June 15, 2020, all donations are tested for the COVID-19 antibody.
While Community Blood Drives are still available, you can schedule a donation time that works for you at one of the fourteen area Neighborhood Donor Centers which allow for online appointments, reminders, and well-equipped facilities, all socially distanced and sanitized for your protection.
So, as you wrap up yet one more Zoom call, take a minute to visit www.giveblood.org
and schedule your donation today. If getting out of the house still brings a twinge of worry, these folks have been wearing gloves, wiping everything down, and washing hands since 1975, and saving countless lives in the process.