By State Rep. Todd HunterAUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — The Coastal Bend Blood Center was formed in 1969 to centralize blood donation efforts in the South Texas Area – as well as for the Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, and the Corpus Christi communities. Since its formation it has involved over 35,000 volunteers per year, which is crucial since over 150 people per day are needed to donate blood to meet the needs in South Texas.
About 1 in 7 people need blood when entering a hospital, so we can truly benefit from these types of worthwhile organizations by doing our part to raise awareness – and by participating in blood donations.
While opportunities for blood donation are available and welcome throughout the year, there's currently a critical need for Type O+ blood and Type B+ blood.
Right now, blood type O- is running low too, which is known as the universal donor. O- blood can be given to people of all blood types, and is critical in emergencies before the patient’s blood type is known and with newborns that need blood.
Right now, blood type O- is running low too, which is known as the universal donor. O- blood can be given to people of all blood types, and is critical in emergencies before the patient’s blood type is known and with newborns that need blood.
Individuals who want to donate blood can visit the Blood Center on 209 North Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas during normal business hours. Bloodmobiles also operate seven days a week to ensure that hospital and patient needs are met in this large geographical area.While many of the donation activities occur in Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, the Coastal Bend Blood Center actually serves 10 Counties in South Texas, which includes over half a million residents.
The general qualifications for blood donation include:
- Be 17 years of age or older
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Have a pulse range between 50-100
- Have not donated whole blood in the last 8 weeks
- Have normal blood pressure, pulse & temperature
- Do not have a cold or sore throat
- Not pregnant, and
- Are not taking antibiotics for an active infection
Also, with the ongoing COVID-19 situation, if you have been diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19, please do not attempt to donate for at least 14 days.The Blood Center often places its mobile centers at different areas such as high schools, churches, and hospitals.
I want to continue to bring awareness to the many great organizations in our Coastal Bend Area like the Coastal Bend Blood Center. You can find more information about ways to help by donating blood, as well as gain additional information about the Coastal Bend Blood Center and what it does as an organization, visit their website here at CoastalBendBloodCenter.org.
- If you have a specific question regarding your eligibility, please contact the Coastal Bend Blood Center at 800.299.4943 or questions@coastalbendbloodcenter.org.
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.
