Gulf Coast Blood Celebrates the Lifesaving Power of Donors on World Blood Donor Day

HOUSTON, Texas — On World Blood Donor Day, June 14, Gulf Coast Blood is honoring the people who have the power to save lives: volunteer blood donors. Every donation can give a patient hope during cancer treatment, surgery, trauma care, an organ transplant, or another medical emergency. Donors may never meet the people they help, but their decision to give can provide another chance at recovery and more time with loved ones.

“Every blood donation represents hope for someone facing a medical emergency or serious illness,” said Kevin Shipley, Vice President of Donor and Community Engagement for Gulf Coast Blood. “We’re deeply grateful to our donors who continue to show up for patients across our community. Blood is needed every day, and so are the people who give
it.”

Gulf Coast Blood needs approximately 1,000 blood donations each day. As a leading nonprofit blood and biotherapies organization serving Greater Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and surrounding regions, Gulf Coast Blood is the area’s only 24/7 blood provider. It supplies lifesaving products to more than 170 hospitals and healthcare facilities across 26 counties.

Longtime donors Marion Sohl and Marsha Asplin show the extraordinary power donors have to help save lives through a lifetime of giving. Sohl began donating in 1983 to help a family member and became Gulf Coast Blood’s first 200-gallon donor. Today, with more than 224 gallons donated, his commitment has helped save thousands of lives. Asplin became the first woman to reach 200 gallons, potentially impacting up to 4,800 lives while also contributing more than 19,000 volunteer hours.

Their achievements are remarkable, but every donor journey begins with one appointment and one decision to help another person. That spirit reflects Gulf Coast Blood’s expanded mission to enhance the donor experience, drive innovation, deepen community impact, and advance its role as a center of excellence in blood banking, biotherapies, and patient-centered care.

Blood cannot be manufactured. It must be given by one person to help another.

To schedule a donation or find a neighborhood donor center or mobile blood drive, visit
giveblood.org.

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About Gulf Coast Blood
Gulf Coast Blood is a leading nonprofit blood and biotherapies organization serving Greater Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and surrounding regions. As the area’s only 24/7 blood provider, it supplies lifesaving products to more than 170 hospitals and healthcare facilities across 26 counties. With an expanded mission focused on donor experience, innovation, and community impact, Gulf Coast Blood is advancing its role as a center of excellence in blood banking, biotherapies, and patient-centered care. Through industry expertise and strong community partnerships, the organization continues to lead efforts that strengthen the healthcare system and save lives across the Gulf Coast region.