Gulf Coast Blood to Unveil First-of-Its-Kind Donor Center and Expanded Mission in the Texas Medical Center
On Friday, August 15, Gulf Coast Blood will mark a major milestone with the public unveiling of its newest donor center, located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. This launch is a bold new expansion that extends Gulf Coast Blood’s life-saving mission into medical research.
As the region’s only 24/7 blood provider and one of the largest community blood centers in the country, Gulf Coast Blood is now widening its impact by supporting advancements in biotech, pharma, and academic research. This unveiling signals a new chapter in how blood donations can help save lives today and shape the future of medicine.
Members of the media are invited to cover this first-look event, which will include interviews with GCB executive leaders, guided tours of the new facility, and powerful visual storytelling moments on-site.
WHAT:
Gulf Coast Blood is celebrating the grand opening of its new donor center and marking 50 years of saving lives. The organization is also expanding its mission to support medical research by supplying blood for use in biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic innovation.
On site, reporters will find:
● A “Blood to the Future” DeLorean photo op, anchoring the future-forward theme
● Guided tours through donor lounges and advanced collection spaces
● Unveiling and program with remarks from
○ Nikhil Nayak, President and CEO, Gulf Coast Blood
○ Theresa Pina, Chief Growth Officer, Gulf Coast Blood
○ Mike Bell, Director of Building and Fleet Management
○ Becca Abbate, Guest Speaker
● Interviews with GCB executives, blood recipient family and medical experts
WHEN:
Friday, August 15, 2025; 9 a.m.—11 a.m.
● 8:30 a.m.— Media Check-In, Receive Credentials
● 9 a.m.— Interactive Celebration
● 9:30-10:30 a.m.— Program begins + Ribbon Cutting
● 10:30-10:45 a.m.— Media interview opportunity: speak with a blood recipient, gather additional info, and conduct follow-up interviews for news packages
● 11 a.m.— Guided tours around the facilities + Nikhil Nayak 1st donor to blood research
● Media Contact: Stephanie Jacksis, Corporate Communications Manager, Gulf Coast Blood, sjacksis@giveblood.org | (832) 476-7663 ● Media RSVP: Melanie Joseph, melanie@etchedcomm.com, (281) 865-9115
WHERE:
Gulf Coast Blood – HQ 1400 La Concha Lane Houston, TX 77054
Gulf Coast Blood – The Medical Center 1425 La Concha Lane Houston, TX 77054