If you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, face masks are no longer required to donate blood. We ask that you continue wearing face coverings if you are not fully vaccinated or you desire an additional level of safety.
Our organizational responsibility and commitment to keep our donors and employees safe is our priority, and we will maintain COVID-19 safety protocols. These requirements are consistent with the advice and recommendations of health professionals and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
ATTENTION: There remains an urgent need for blood donors amid the pandemic. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center needs 1,000 blood donations a day to support patients in our local hospitals. If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to give blood.
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s Response to COVID-19
We ask members of our community to become regular donors, giving blood multiple times each year to ensure we are able to meet local demand. Find out more about our eligibility requirements here.
Collecting blood is a marathon, not a sprint, and blood cannot be manufactured. Healthy donors must voluntarily contribute to our blood supply.
Safety is in our Blood
The Blood Center continues to take safety seriously. The coronavirus does not pose any risk to blood donors, either during the donation process or while attending organized blood drives.
Our staff members have implemented increased disinfection protocols to prevent the spread of disease at our centers.
Current processes include:
- Sanitizing hands and changing gloves between donors
- Replacing reusable items with one-time use items
- Enhanced cleaning protocols for all surfaces between each blood donor
- Requiring face coverings for unvaccinated donors and employees
Additionally, we have communicated best practices for protecting employee health and implemented employee workstation cleaning requirements.
The Blood Center has in-house doctors and trained medical staff who will continue to refine our processes to ensure the safety of our blood donors. We appreciate your patience during this process.
Help us Save Lives
Every week, thousands of patients need blood to survive. Many cancer patients need platelets while they’re undergoing chemotherapy. Others with blood diseases need transfusions regularly, and blood also is vital during surgeries and trauma patients. Members of our community must donate consistently to maintain the blood supply.
Many companies are operating virtually, making blood drives difficult to plan. We invite you to partner with us regularly to host blood drives at your church, school, business and community organizations. Ready to help save lives? Contact us!
Antibody Testing
**This program will be ending August 1, 2021** All blood donations are tested for the COVID-19 antibody. This test will be performed in addition to the standard testing all blood donations received. To see the test results or to check your Donor Rewards points redeemable for digital gift cards, access your Digital Donor account.
This test is authorized by the FDA for detecting the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and is not intended for the diagnosis of COVID-19.
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is using the Roche Diagnostics Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Test and the Ortho VITROS Immunodiagnostic Products Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. These tests are authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization, which means it can be used only during the time of the Coronavirus pandemic crisis. This test is authorized by the FDA only for detecting the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and is not intended for diagnosis of COVID-19.
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.