For the people who depend on those donations, the difference between life and death can be as simple as someone rolling up their sleeve. That’s why Gulf Coast Blood opened the Fulshear Neighborhood Donor Center.
Why Fulshear?
Fulshear was chosen not only for its convenient location but because it’s one of the fastest-growing—and most generous—communities in Texas.
During the pandemic, residents consistently stepped up to host blood drives, proving their commitment to helping others. That spirit of giving made it the perfect place to invest in a permanent donor center.
Why does donating matter?
For every donation, three lives can be saved.
This is because blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Those components serve very different, and very critical, purposes.
Almost 40% of the blood supply goes to cancer patients, who rely heavily on platelet donations.
Platelets have a short shelf life, so donors with Type A blood are encouraged to give regularly. Emergency patients, meanwhile, depend heavily on O-negative blood, which is universally safe to use when there’s no time to test for blood type. With hospitals, Life Flight helicopters and even ambulances now carrying blood, first responders can save lives before patients reach the hospital.
“The largest medical center in the world is right here in Houston, and they’re doing the most amazing surgeries, ... but without somebody [donating blood], we cannot do these things,” said Kevin Shipley, Associate Vice President of Community Engagement.
When people arrive at the Fulshear Neighborhood Donor Center, they should expect a friendly team, a quick screening to ensure both donor and patient safety, and the satisfaction of knowing they’ve changed lives.
“When people finish [the process], they know they’ve done a great deed, and that they’re going to forever impact the life of a patient,” Shipley said.
Donors receive a free wellness check as part of the process, including hemoglobin and blood pressure screenings. Through Dec. 31, each donation is also tested for A1C levels, allowing people to learn about their own health while helping someone else.
Be the reason someone survives
Giving blood costs nothing, but the impact is immeasurable. It takes 1,000 people throughout the region to show up every day to help sustain the blood supply. Why not be one of them?
“There’s something uniquely special about giving a piece of yourself,” Shipley said. “This simple act truly has the power to transform the lives of generations to come.”
How to donate at the Fulshear Neighborhood Donor Center
- Visit www.giveblood.org to check eligibility, schedule your donation and see volunteer opportunities
- Location: 11605 S. Fry Road, Ste. 105, Fulshear
- Open Friday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
