Join Channel 13, KTRK, for the station's annual blood drive in all Neighborhood Donor Centers. All who donate or attempt to donate and credit ABC13 will receive a commemorative blood drive T-shirt.
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March 20
- March 20, 6 to 6 p.m.: ABC-13 Studios Main Site
- March 20, 9 to 6 p.m.: St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital Blood Donor Center
- March 20, 10 to 4 p.m.: St. Luke's Community Emergency Center
- March 21, 1 to 7 p.m.: Pasadena Town Square Mall (community room near food court)
- March 21, 1 to 7 p.m.: Northwest Mall (community room across from Visible Changes)
- March 21: First Colony Mall
- March 22, 1 to 7 p.m.: Baybrook Mall (donor coach near Burger King)
- March 22, 1 to 7 p.m.: Almeda Mall (donor coach near Palais Royal)
- March 22, 1 to 7 p.m.: First Colony Mall (donor coach near food court entrance)
ABC-13
3310 Bissonnet
6am to 6pm
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Donor Coach - In Parking Lot
(888) 482-5663
www.giveblood.org
M. D. Anderson Alkek Hospital
Corner of Bertner & Bates streets
2nd floor - Near Elevator F at top of escalators
8am - 4pm
M. D. Anderson Blood Bank
Fannin South Professional Building
7707 Fannin (Free parking)
8am 1 4pm
The Mays Ambulatory Clinic Building
1220 Holcombe, 2nd floor
8am – 4pm
M. D. Anderson Clinical Cancer Center -- Bay Area
CHRISTUS St. John Hospital
18100 St. John Drive
Nassau Bay (Free parking)
8am -- 4pm
For appointment or information:
M. D. Anderson Blood Bank
713/792-7777
www.mdanderson.org/departments/bloodbank
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital Blood Donor Center
Rm C110 - (1st floor near green elevators)
6720 Bertner Ave
9am to 6pm
(832) 355-4483
www.sleh.com
St. Luke's Community Emergency Center
5749 San Felipe
10am - 4pm
(713) 267-7100
www.sleh.com
Why should I give blood?
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center needs more than 900 donations every day in order to serve patients in the Texas Gulf Coast region; however, less than 5 percent of the population actually donates blood. Medical technology has provided many life-saving discoveries over the years, but there is still no substitute for blood. In a medical emergency, often the most important element is the availability of blood. Blood donations can help a variety of individuals: trauma victims, surgery patients, premature babies, individuals with anemia, cancer patients and many more.
Who can donate?
All potential donors must be at least 17 years old to donate, 16 with parental consent. Also:
- You must bring a valid picture ID prior to donation.
- Donors must weight at least 110 pounds. 16-year-old donors must weight 122 pounds.
- Potential donors must be in general good health, without any cold or flu symptoms.
All blood types are needed. The rarest blood type is the one not available when needed. That is why Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has its Commit for Life program that encourages individuals to give at least once every quarter to help ensure an adequate blood supply is always available. Because it takes about 24 hours to process every blood donation, it's the blood on the shelf that saves lives today.
Are there any special instructions I should follow before donating whole blood?
You should eat a good meal that includes iron-rich foods – like red meat; green, leafy vegetables; and iron-fortified cereals – and drink plenty of fluids one to two hours before donating blood. Can you explain the blood donation process?
Donating blood takes less than one hour. First you complete a registration form with basic information such as your name, address and birthdate. You also will present identification that shows your name and your photo or signature. Then, one of our medical professionals will check your blood pressure, temperature and hemoglobin level (iron); take a look at your arm to make sure it is clear of any signs of infection; and ask you confidential questions about your health to ensure that you are eligible to donate blood that day.
How long does it take?
The entire donation process, from registration to post-donation refreshments, takes just under one hour. The actual donation takes 5 to 10 minutes. A unit (about one pint) of blood is drawn. The average person has between 10 and 12 pints of blood in their body. It takes about one month to replace the blood that is donated.
For more information on the items listed above, blood drive locations, hours of operation or to schedule your donation, visit GiveBlood.org or call 1(888) 482-5663
