Commit for Life - Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center

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News and Special Events

Take a look at some of The Blood Center's past special events.
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New Gulfgate Neighborhood Donor Center Set To Draw In Diverse Donor Pool

The new Gulfgate Neighborhood Donor center offers East Houston residents convenience and comfort as they make a commitment to saving lives. Read more.

Diamonds for Donors Winner!

Erica Beasley of Conroe is our first winner in the Diamonds for Donors giveaway. Read more.

Local businessman helps advocates save more lives

The Woodlands Community Advocates formed a sweet partnership to make their Feb. 16 blood drive their biggest success to date. Joe Welge, owner of Culver’s Frozen Custard in The Woodlands, stepped up to offer frozen treats to all who donated or attempted to donate during the drive. Read more.

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is now at Gulfgate!

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has proudly made a new home in Houston’s East End. As of March 2008, residents of this community have the opportunity to Commit for Life and help save lives through blood donation. Read more.

Newest Donor Coaches Fuel More Life-Saving Opportunities

Individuals in the Texas Gulf Coast area will now have more opportunities to save lives with the addition of two new donor coaches to the fleet at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Read more.

Gold-level groups take spotlight in ‘A Celebration of Life’

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s biggest year ever for saving lives brought accolades to hundreds of gold-level Commit for Life groups at “A Celebration of Life” luncheon and awards ceremony on Feb. 13. Read more.

Students’ enthusiasm sets new record for saving lives

The students at Barbara Jordan High School for Careers learned recently that their commitment to a successful blood drive wields a lot of lives saved. The school hosted its first blood drive of the school year last November, with Health Science Technology students taking charge. Read more.

The Blood Center of Brazos Valley begins operations

The Blood Center of Brazos Valley, a new affiliate of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, began operations on Thursday, Jan. 10 with the start of its mobile blood drive program. Read more.

Spotlight on Success

For more than 30 years, Huntsville Churches has saved countless lives; however, this isn’t your typical church drive. On the second Saturday of every month, more than 17 churches put their denominations aside and join together to save lives. In the last year, more than 1,000 donations were collected – saving more than 3,000 lives. Read more.

Continue the Commitment

Whether it’s because a loved one received blood or simply because of a desire to help others, there’s a story behind every blood donor’s commitment to saving lives. In the first quarter of 2008, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center wants donors to share their stories as part of the “Continue the Commitment” promotion. Read more.

Holiday Hugs 2007

The "Reindeer Brigade" surprised patients at Texas Children's Hospital and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital with a holiday gift. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center employees visited the hospitals to deliver teddy bears as part of the Holiday Hugs program. Read more.

Spotlight on Success: Rice University chairperson lets students take the reins

Rice University blood drive chairperson R. Mac Griswald takes a unique, but very successful approach to saving lives.

He oversees drives held by 10 different groups on campus (nine colleges and The Student Center), each of which has its own student chairperson and committee. As a result, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has had 22 blood drives with the various groups on campus this year, collecting an impressive total of 888 donations. Read more.

New Donor Center Will Attract More Pasadena Residents to Help Save Lives

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has an eye-catching new location in Pasadena aimed at attracting more blood donors to Commit for Life and providing additional comfort for those who helped save lives at the center’s previous location.

Pasadena Neighborhood Donor Center grand reopening

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is excited to announce its new location in Pasadena. The Pasadena Neighborhood Donor Center has moved to 5124 Fairmont Parkway from its previous location at 3315 Burke Road.The grand reopening will take place on Dec. 4, with the Neighborhood Donor Center accepting donations at 1 p.m. that day. The center will be open five days a week with flexible hours to make it convenient for individuals to Commit for Life.

GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER ENCOURAGES PASADENA COMMUNITY TO COMMIT FOR LIFE
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center invites Pasadena residents to Commit for Life. The Pasadena Neighborhood Donor Center relocated to a new facility Oct. 29 and will celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 4. The newly relocated center continues to give area blood donors a convenient opportunity to help save lives in their own community.

GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER EXPANDS OPERATIONS TO BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION AREA
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center today announces the expansion of its operations to the Bryan/College Station area as it opens The Blood Center of Brazos Valley. As the primary supplier of blood products to hospitals and healthcare facilities in Brazos Valley, The Blood Center not only will provide more convenient access for area hospitals, but also more opportunities for Brazos Valley residents to Commit for Life and help save lives in their community.

Temporary Memorial City Neighborhood Donor Center Location

Due to a recent fire in the building adjacent to the Memorial City Neighborhood Donor Center, we have temporarily moved our operations to Memorial City Mall and will open for donations on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 12 p.m. The donor center is located just inside the main mall entrance next to Target off Gessner Street. Details >>

Champions Grand Opening Celebration August 22!

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is excited to announce its new location in the Champions area. The Champions Neighborhood Donor Center is a new facility for the former Houston Northwest Neighborhood Donor Center, which was located at 714 FM 1960 West. Details >>

Lufkin Neighborhood Donor Center celebrates new location

The Blood Center East Texas celebrated the grand opening of its new Lufkin Neighborhood Donor Center facility on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The event was commemorated with a Lufkin-Angelina County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony and a lunch reception. Details >>

Pearland Neighborhood Donor Center celebrates grand opening

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center celebrated the grand opening of its Pearland Neighborhood Donor Center on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The event was commemorated with a Pearland Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony and a lunch reception. Details >>

LIVINGSTON BLOOD DONOR WINS GAS CARD GIVEAWAY

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is pleased to congratulate Marsha Mayhew of Livingston, a winner in Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s gas card giveaway. Individuals who donated or attempted to donate during select weeks in June and July were entered in a drawing to win a $100 gas card. Details >>

Young Patient’s Dream Becomes a Reality in Houston
‘Driving for Donors’ and Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Encourage Houston to Join Marrow Registry and Donate Blood

On July 30, 11-year-old Pat Pedraja will see his dreams become closer to reality when his vision makes its second-to-last stop in Houston out of 28 cities on his “Driving for Donors” tour. Details >>

Congratulations to the Stephen F. Austin State University’s Physical Plant

This month’s star donor group is Stephen F. Austin State University’s Physical Plant blood drive. Situated on the SFA campus, the Physical Plant is the only non-student led blood drive involving campus maintenance, safety, custodial, ground, and transportation employees. Details >>

Congratulations to our Diamonds for Donors Winners!

To someone who must receive blood, your life-saving donations are more precious than diamonds. Those who donated or attempted to donate during the month of April had a chance to win an actual diamond – along with other great prizes – in the Diamonds for Donors giveaway! Details >>

Waste Management chairperson wins Continental giveaway

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is pleased to congratulate Eric Salinas, blood drive chairperson for Waste Management, on winning a pair of Continental Airlines tickets in the organization’s first-quarter giveaway. He was randomly selected from all the blood drive chairpersons whose blood drives met their life-saving target in the first quarter of 2007. Details >>

Thanks for Committing for Life in April!
To someone who must receive blood, your life-saving donations are more precious than diamonds. Those who donated or attempted to donate during the month of April had a chance to win an actual diamond – along with other great prizes – in the Diamonds for Donors giveaway! Details >>

Diamonds for Donors Winner!
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is pleased to congratulate Linda Barefield, a winner in April’s “Diamonds for Donors” giveaway. Details >>

Diamonds for Donors Winner!
Mark Jones of Livingston is our second winner in the Diamonds for Donors giveaway! Details >>

16-year-olds are now eligible to donate blood with parental consent
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is taking another monumental step to help increase the blood supply in our region. As of Tuesday, May 1, The Blood Center will be accepting whole blood donations from 16-year-old donors with their parents’ consent. Details >>

Diamonds for Donors Winner!
Carl Burch of Sugar Land is our first winner in the Diamonds for Donors giveaway! Details >>

East Texas Scholarship Winners
The Blood Center East Texas is proud to congratulate Britney Craig and Brett Bradshaw, its 2007 winners of The Power of Life scholarship. Each student received $2,000 to pursue higher education. Details >>

The Blood Center awards The Power of Life scholarships

Congratulations to the four The Power of Life scholarship winners! Each high school student was awarded a scholarship in the amount of $2,000 during The Blood Center’s “A Gathering of Heroes” event on Sunday, March 4. Details >>

BLOOD DONORS HONORED AT ‘A GATHERING OF HEROES’

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center honored more than 2,000 gold-level Commit for Life blood donors during its “A Gathering of Heroes” event, held March 4 at Minute Maid Park. This elite group of donors has helped save countless lives by Committing for Life and donating at least once a quarter in 2006. Details >>

Commit for Life, Y’all!

Congratulations to these individuals who continued their commitment during Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s Commit for Life, Y’all promotion in February. These individuals were randomly selected to attend performances at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Details >>

2007 Celebration of Life

The 2007 "A Celebration of Life" luncheon and awards ceremony was held at the Edwin Hornberger Conference Center on Thursday, Feb. 15 to commemorate the achievements of gold-level donor groups who earned Path for Success awards in 2006. The organizations recognized have embraced the Commit for Life Group Program and followed the Path for Success by hosting at least one drive every quarter, scheduling the donors and spreading the work by forming blood drive committees. Details >>

Spotlight on Success: High school blood drives set the pace for future Commit for Life donors

Using the tools and knowledge gained through Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s Power of Life program, Bellaire High School has made a commitment to saving lives, with outstanding results. Details >>

Spotlight on Success: Commercial Bank of Texas

Management, employee and customer support create the perfect formula for saving lives at Commercial Bank of Texas. A blood drive partner since 1998, the bank Commits for Life by sponsoring blood drives at its Nacogdoches facility at least once a quarter - every eight weeks, to be exact. Since its involvement began, the bank’s drives have collected more than 600 units of blood – saving as many as 1,800 lives. Details >>

Spotlight on Success: Lufkin Industries
During the first week in November every year, the employees of Lufkin Industries are reminded what it means to Commit for Life. This Commit for Life group observes “Blood Drive Week,” in which they host six blood drives at different plant locations in Lufkin. Details >>

Spotlight on Success: St. Luke's United Methodist Church
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston is a Commit for Life rising star! This group set a goal for 2006 to be their greatest life-saving year and have already saved as many as 987 lives – with one more drive to go! Details >>

Congratulations Virginia Radike
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is pleased to congratulate Virginia Radike, the third-quarter Continental Airlines giveaway winner. She was randomly selected from all those who donated or attempted to donate between July 1 and Sept. 30, to win a pair of Continental Airlines tickets to visit any city Continental serves in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean. Details >>

Spotlight on Success: A Celebration of Life
It’s not too late to qualify for the many benefits of being a gold-level Commit for Life group! It’s as easy as hosting at least one drive per quarter, scheduling your donors and spreading the work by forming a blood drive committee. Details >>

Nacogdoches group’s commitment continues – 13 years and counting!
An ongoing commitment to helping save lives has made Foretravel Inc. a true Commit for Life partner with The Blood Center East Texas. The company has hosted blood drives since 1993, saving literally thousands of lives by welcoming donors every eight weeks. Details >>

East Texas Donor wins iPod Nano
The Blood Center East Texas is pleased to congratulate Tom Davis, winner of the East Texas iPod Challenge giveaway. Individuals who donated or attempted to donate between May 30 and June 30 were automatically entered in a drawing to win a 4GB iPod Nano, which stores up to 1,000 songs and features a color display. The iPod Challenge was a way to thank our donors and encourage more individuals to Commit for Life. Details >>

Livingston Area Supports Commit for Life Programs
Since the rollout of the Commit for Life program in November 2003, Livingston-area residents have stepped up to help save lives. To reach the gold level, Commit for Life groups are asked to host four blood drives a year, allow The Blood Center to contact them and spread the word. Several area businesses, schools and churches have taken this pledge to heart, hosting regular blood drives and producing amazing results. Details >>

Circulation - 4th Quarter 2006
What's Inside: Third anniversary of the Commit for Life program, teen volunteer opportunities and much more! Details >>
*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download Acrobat Reader here.

Livingston Memorial Hospital Commits for Life

Livingston Memorial Hospital has taken the Commit for Life program to heart, hosting community blood drives every eight weeks – and producing amazing results. The hospital works with community leaders to promote the blood drives, not just in Livingston, but throughout all of Polk County. Details >>

October Spotlight on Success: CenterPoint Energy

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is deeply grateful to CenterPoint Energy for their long-standing support of The Power of Life high school program. CenterPoint has provided financial support to help create and sustain one of our most successful blood donor recruitment programs. From the program's beginning in the 2003 - 2004 school year, CenterPoint Energy has generously provided the funds for marketing and promotional materials for The Power of Life. Now in its third year, the program is going strong and recognized as one of the most successful high school blood donor recruitment programs in the country. Details >>

Congratulations to our Grand Prize Fire and Ice Winner #1!

Juan Duque of southwest Houston is the proud owner of a new Weber grill, thanks to his commitment to saving lives this summer. Details >>

New 100-gallon donor!

Congratulations to Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s newest 100-gallon blood donor, Marsha Asplin. Details >>

Spotlight on Success: Continental Airline

Continental Airlines, the official airlines of Commit for Life, says the sky is the limit when it comes to saving lives. Continental Airlines has decided to Commit for Life and become a gold-level donor group by following the Path for Success. They are doing their part to permanently increase the blood supply in the Texas Gulf Coast region by hosting one drive per quarter, scheduling the donors, and spreading the work by forming a blood drive committee. Details >>

Congratulations To Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital!

Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital has always hosted blood drives with The Blood Center East Texas, but lately they have “raised the bar” for their employees. Details >>

Congratulations gas card winners!

Thanks to all those who continued their commitment by donating in July! Individuals who donated or attempted to donate July 1 through 31 were entered in a daily drawing to win a $50 gas card. Details >>

Congratulations to Memorial Hermann Healthcare System!

The blood drive program that Memorial Hermann Healthcare System has hosted for many years has been a great success, but this year’s June drive was an impressive exception. Details >>

Congratulations, Fire and Ice winners!

Thanks to all those who have Committed for Life and donated in July! All individuals who donate or attempt to donate during the month of July will be entered in the “Fire and Ice” giveaway, in which weekly winners will be randomly selected to receive “Chill & Grill” sets from Houston Coca-Cola. Details >>

Circulation - 3rd Quarter 2006
What's Inside: Patients remain priority, A Gathering of Heroes, Earth angels and much more! Details >>
*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download Acrobat Reader here.

Congratulations Darrel Monroe!
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center congratulates Darrel Monroe, winner of the IW Marks Jewelers giveaway offered to all those who donated or attempted to donate during the KIOL-FM “Return of Rock” blood drive. Monroe was randomly selected from more than 1,300 donors to win a his-and-hers set of watches, generously donated by IW Marks. Details >>

iPod Challenge Winners
Thanks to all those who have made it a life-saving summer so far by donating since May 30, when Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s iPod Challenge began! Details >>

Family Vacation Month Winners
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center would like to thank all of those who have helped save lives by donating during Family Vacation Month! All those who donated or attempted to donate from May 1 through 28 were automatically entered to win a family four-pack of tickets to one of five select family attractions. One winner was randomly selected each week and given the opportunity to choose which attraction his or her family would like to visit Details >>

Congratulations to Houston Astros Coke Corner winners!

Thanks to all those who helped save lives during the month of April, when Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and Houston Coca-Cola teamed up to offer the Houston Astros Coke Corner giveaway. Details >>

15th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center recently celebrated an occasion for individuals of all faiths to come together. The 15th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast is held every first Thursday of May to honor all the religion-based groups that help save lives by hosting blood drives throughout the year. Details >>

Celebration of Life - East Texas
The Blood Center – East Texas recently held “A Celebration of Life” dinner and awards ceremony at the Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches. The event recognized the life-saving efforts of gold-level donors, 10-gallon or higher donors, gold-level groups and high school scholarship recipients.

It also was an opportunity for BCET donors to meet President and CEO Brian G. Gannon, who appeared at the event alongside BCET Director Mary Frances Bradford and President and CEO Emeritus Bill T. Teague. A woman who personally understands the importance of blood donations, Kathy Hiebert, also shared her story of how volunteer blood donors saved the lives of her twins, Brooke and Brett. Details >>

Circulation - 2nd Quarter 2006
What's Inside: Commit for Life changes lives daily, the sweetest gift, saving lives in the 'Real World' and much more! Details >>
*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download Acrobat Reader here.

Congratulations to Commit for Life donor David McCoy of Sugar Land, Texas!!!

David is the winner of a diamond heart necklace generously donated by IW Mark Jewelers in the Spring Bling March promotion. Details >>

‘A Gathering of Heroes’ honors gold-level Commit for Life donors.

Nearly 1,000 heroes who were responsible for countless lives saved came together on Sunday, April 2, 2006, for a celebration of their commitment. “A Gathering of Heroes” is Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s event to recognize and thank all those gold-level donors who Commit for Life and give blood at least once a quarter. Details >>

‘Spring Bling’ and saving lives

All those who donated or attempted to donate at any Neighborhood Donor Center or mobile blood drive during the month of March were automatically entered in Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s “Spring Bling” giveaway with IW Marks Jewelers and NewsRadio 740 KTRH. One lucky individual is the winner of a select piece of jewelry, generously donated by IW Marks.

Continue watching our Web site to see when our winner is announced, and to stay informed on new and upcoming activities. On behalf of the thousands of patients who wouldn’t be here today without your volunteer blood donations, thanks for choosing to Commit for Life!

Thanks for choosing to Commit for Life, Y’all
Congratulations to all the winners in Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s February Commit for Life, Y’all giveaway! All those who donated or attempted to donate during the month of February were automatically entered to win tickets to select performances of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Details >>

Thanks for Committing for Life, Y’all
Thank you to everyone who donated or attempted to donate, and participated in the Commit for Life, Y’all promotion this February. Rodeo fans who donated or attempted to donate at any Neighborhood Donor Center or mobile blood drive during the month of February was automatically entered to win tickets to select performances at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Details >>

Groups Gather for ‘A Celebration of Life’
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center highlighted the success of its growing Group Program with “A Celebration of Life” luncheon and awards ceremony. Blood drive groups that chose to Commit for Life by hosting at least one blood drive per quarter and collecting at least 100 donations in 2005 were each honored with a “Path for Success” Award. Details >>

Congratulations Dee Connors - Continental BusinessFirst Ticket Winner
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is excited to congratulate Dee Connors, one of two winners in the Continental Airlines BusinessFirst giveaway. Connors is the winner of two BusinessFirst tickets to any Transatlantic, Pacific, Hawaii or Brazil destination where Continental flies. Details >>

Congratulations Tonya Freeland - Continental BusinessFirst Ticket Winner
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is excited to congratulate Tonya Freeland, one of two winners in the Continental Airlines BusinessFirst giveaway. Tonya is the winner of two BusinessFirst tickets to any Transatlantic, Pacific, Hawaii or Brazil destination where Continental flies. Details >>

Circulation - 1st Quarter 2006
What's Inside: Commit for Life changes one family's life, Continue the Commitment, New CEO, and much more! Details >>
*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download Acrobat Reader here.

Congratulations Charles Lojo!
Charles Lojo is the most recent winner of a pair of Continental Airlines tickets to anywhere in the contiguous United States. He was randomly selected from all those who donated or attempted to donate between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2005. Details >>

A New Life-Saving Opportunity in Lufkin!
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s newest Neighborhood Donor Center celebrated its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 11, 2005. The Lufkin Neighborhood Donor Center has been open for donors to help save lives since September but postponed its grand opening celebration due to Hurricane Rita. Details >>

Congratulations Dennis Chermak!
Dennis Chermak is the most recent winner of a pair of Continental Airlines tickets to anywhere in the contiguous United States. He was randomly selected from all those who donated or attempted to donate between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2005. Details >>

Volvo Winner Announced
This dedicated blood donor is the new owner of a 2005 Volvo S40, generously donated by Volvo of Houston. Villalobos was one of 26 finalists randomly selected from those who donated, attempted to donate or visited a Neighborhood Donor Center or blood drive between April 1 and Sept. 30, 2005. Details >>

Helping Save Lives - Texans Style
Houston Texans fans took advantage of a “Texas-sized” life-saving opportunity Oct. 11 through 17 as the team hosted its fourth annual blood drive at Reliant Stadium, Neighborhood Donor Centers and select Methodist Hospital sites. Details >>

Couple Makes Saving Lives a Team Effort
While some couples opt for dinner and a movie on their dates, Larry Earles and his wife, Jessie, enjoy saving lives together. “It’s our special every-other-month date,” he said of their regular appointments with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. “We always pick a day to have lunch together and donate blood.” Details >>

2005 Bill T. Teague Lectureship
The 2005 Bill T. Teague Lectureship in Transfusion Medicine was held May 19 and featured Guest Lecturer Kathleen Sazama, MD, JD. The Lectureship, in its Ninth year, honors contributions to the blood banking profession by Bill T. Teague, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Details >>

MAN CELEBRATES 100TH BLOOD DONATION AT THE WOODLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD DONOR CENTER OPENING
Milestone Donation Made Just in Time for Donor’s Trip to Zambia. Details >>

Woodlands Grand Opening
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center celebrated the grand opening of its newest Neighborhood Donor Center in The Woodlands on May 4, 2005. The festivities attracted more than 100 guests and introduced residents of The Woodlands to the newest way to Commit for Life. Details >>

LIFE GALA HONORS THOUSANDS OF DONORS, VOLUNTEERS
What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Houston’s “Eighth Wonder of the World” than with a gathering of individuals who have saved thousands of Houston lives. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s “A Gathering of Heroes” Life Gala honored the donors and volunteers of Commit for Life’s “major league.” Details >>

The Importance of Houston-Area Blood Donations Noticed by Mayor Bill White
Recognizing the need for regular blood donations throughout the Houston-area, Mayor Bill White, along with Council Member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, M.D., recently presented Bill Teague, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, with a proclamation stating that January is “Volunteer Blood Donor Month.” Details>>

Did You Know...

Did you know that one week at a Texas Medical Center Hospital, patients needed 482 units of red blood cells?

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