By State Rep. Todd Hunter
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — As the new year begins, I would like to recognized January as National Blood Donor Awareness Month. This is a nationwide initiative to celebrate and recognize blood donors. National Blood Month has taken place each January since 1970.
A decision to donate blood can save a life, so this week I would like to talk about how to donate blood.
Donating blood saves many lives and improves the health for many people.According to the American Red Cross, one donation can potentially save up to three lives. Furthermore, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. The blood supply is necessary for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Each donation is essential for the lifesaving care that can be provided.
A way to donate in the Coastal Bend is through the Coastal Bend Blood Center, which was established in 1969. The services the center provide include donor recruiting, community education, drawing, processing and distribution.
The Blood Center provides services to 19 medical facilities in the 10- county service area of Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio. The Blood Center offers opportunities to donate blood throughout the service area seven days a week with bloodmobiles.
Some of the basic donor requirements for the Blood Center are you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 lbs. (115lbs. if 17 years of age), be in general good health, and have an I.D. at the time of the donation.
- For more information about the basic qualifications to donate blood, visit https://www.coastalbendbloodcenter.org/basic-qualifications
- To learn more about the Coastal Bend Blood Center, please visit their website at https://www.coastalbendbloodcenter.org
- Also, to see more statistics, visit the American Red Cross Website at https://www.redcrossblood.org
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned above, please don't hesitate to call my Capitol or District Offices. As always, we're available at any time to assist you with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603). And please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas State Agency or if you'd like help regarding Constituent Services.
If you'd like to review more about the Texas State Legislature, visit the Texas Legislature Online.State Representative Todd Hunter serves the constituents of Texas House District 32, which is composed of Aransas, Calhoun, San Patricio and part of Nueces County.
