A Simple Test to Help You Understand Your Diabetes Risk Is Available to All Donors

(Houston, TX) – Thousands of blood donors across the greater Houston area, Brazos Valley, and East Texas are discovering their risk for diabetes through a unique opportunity. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s complimentary A1c testing initiative, available through February 28, 2025, is giving donors the
chance to learn if they have prediabetes or diabetes—before it’s too late.

Did you know that 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has prediabetes, and most aren’t even aware of it? This silent condition can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss if left unmanaged. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is helping the community tackle this growing health crisis by offering free A1c tests to all blood donors.

The A1c test is a simple yet powerful tool that measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months, alerting individuals to their diabetes risk. Since the initiative began in December, thousands of donors have already taken advantage of this opportunity to monitor their health—and now there are only a few weeks left for others to do the same.

Here’s what your A1c levels reveal:
 Below 5.7%: Normal
 5.7% to 6.4%: Prediabetes
 6.5% or Higher: Diabetes

“Prediabetes and diabetes are often silent conditions, and many individuals don’t know they are at risk until it’s too late,” said Dr. Beth Hartwell, Chief Medical Officer at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. “We are seeing thousands of donors take charge of their health with this screening, and we urge others to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity. Early detection is key to managing the risk of diabetes and preventing complications.”

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center remains dedicated to providing life-saving blood products to patients in need and supporting medical research to advance treatments for conditions like diabetes. By offering complimentary A1c testing, the blood center is making it easier for donors to care for themselves while giving back to the community.

For more information or to schedule a donation, visit giveblood.org/a1c. Together, we can save lives and promote health and wellness in the community.