Gulf Coast Blood urges community to donate blood, support local children before Back-to-School Community Drive ends Aug. 15

Gulf Coast Blood urges community to donate blood, support local children before Back-to-School Community Drive ends Aug. 15

HOUSTON — With just a few days remaining in Gulf Coast Blood’s annual Back-to-School Community Drive, community members are being urged to donate blood and bring new back-to-school essentials or other critically needed items to help local patients and children.

Through August 15, donors can make twice the impact by giving blood and donating essential items to benefit BEAR...BE A Resource. The campaign provides an opportunity to support two important community needs in a single visit: helping ensure local patients have access to lifesaving blood while helping children prepare for the new school year.

• Type O blood is especially needed right now. O positive is the most common blood type, while O negative is often used in emergency situations when a patient’s blood type is not yet known. Maintaining an adequate supply of Type O blood is critical to helping hospitals care for patients who need transfusions.

“Back-to-school season is a time when we naturally think about making sure children have what they need to learn and succeed,” said Stephanie Jacksis, Corporate Communications Manager at Gulf Coast Blood. “We’re asking our community to pair that support with a blood donation. By bringing essential items for a child in need and donating blood during the same visit, you can help a local patient who needs a transfusion while helping a child start the school year feeling prepared, supported and cared for.”

Gulf Coast Blood needs approximately 1,000 blood donations each day to help meet the needs of more than 170 hospitals and health care facilities across the region. Blood donations are needed every day for patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, trauma care, childbirth and other medical procedures.

The need for blood can be especially challenging during the summer, when vacations, travel and changing routines can lead to fewer donations.

Community members can participate in the Back-to-School Community Drive by donating blood at any Gulf Coast Blood donor center and bringing new essential items for children served by BEAR. The organization’s most-needed items include new clothing, shoes, diapers, jackets, reusable water bottles and other essentials that can help children and families prepare for the school year.

Donors can view BEAR’s current Back-to-School wish list to see the items most needed.

To schedule a blood donation, visit giveblood.org. Donors are encouraged to share the campaign with friends, family members and co-workers, particularly those with Type O blood.

“Every child deserves the chance to walk into a classroom feeling prepared and supported,” Jacksis said. “And every patient who needs a blood transfusion deserves to have the blood they need available. This drive is a reminder that small acts of generosity can have a very real impact right here in our community.”

The donated items will benefit BEAR’s Back-to-School program, which provides essential items and support to children involved with or at risk of entering Child Protective Services care.

BEAR...BE A Resource works alongside the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults to provide hope and support to abused, neglected and at-risk children throughout the Greater Houston area. Through its Back-to-School program, BEAR helps children receive essential items they need to begin the school year ready to learn.

The Back-to-School Community Drive continues through Aug. 15. To schedule a blood donation, visit giveblood.org. To view BEAR’s Back-to-School wish list, visit bearesourcehouston.org/programs/bear-back-to-school/.

About Gulf Coast Blood
Gulf Coast Blood is the only community blood center serving Houston and surrounding communities, operating 24/7. As one of the largest community blood centers in the United States, Gulf Coast Blood serves 26 counties across the Texas Gulf Coast, Brazos Valley and East Texas, supplying blood to more than 170 hospitals and health care facilities. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit giveblood.org.

About BEAR...BE A Resource
BEAR...BE A Resource is a nonprofit organization improving lives by providing hope and help to at-risk and CPS-involved children and their caregivers throughout the Greater Houston area. Through programs that provide essential items, school supplies and other support services, BEAR helps children and families facing difficult circumstances while promoting comfort, dignity and opportunity.