Beads and Saving Lives: It’s a Mardi Gras Thing

Let the good times roll! Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and Mardi Gras! Galveston has partnered for another year to save lives and help replenish our community's ongoing need for blood. Donors will receive a ticket to Mardi Gras! Galveston 2023 when they successfully donate blood from January 30 to February 6, 2023.

Mardi Gras! Galveston is the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, and this island-style Mardi Gras has plenty of personalities. From the classic revelry in the heart of Galveston's historic downtown district, where the bulk of festivities take place, to family-friendly events and parades, Mardi Gras! Galveston offers excitement everyone can enjoy.

As part of the partnership, Mardi Gras! Galveston is offering blood donors one general admission ticket valid for any day on February 10, 11, 12, 17, or 18 as a thank-you for replenishing our blood supply for patients in need.

“Mardi Gras! Galveston is honored to partner with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center for another year and to get involved with a cause that means so much to the community,” said Kinley White, marketing and events coordinator for Yaga’s Entertainment. “We thank you all for your participation and encourage everyone who is eligible to donate and help save lives,” said White.

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center services the largest medical center in the world, Texas Medical Center, where the need for blood is constant. These hospitals rely on donors and community members to donate blood to maintain an adequate supply, which is 1,000 units of blood daily. 

Donating blood is easy and can be done once every 56 days. A typical whole blood donation takes about an hour and saves many lives. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is asking our community to donate more frequently and make giving blood a part of their routine as a way of giving back – One hour changes everything!

For more information or to find a location to donate, please visit giveblood.org/mardigras/.

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood components 24/7 to more than 170 hospitals and health care facilities in a 26-county Texas Gulf Coast region. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is a nonprofit organization and is accredited by the Food and Drug Administration.