Saving a life can be as easy as rolling up your sleeve. In one hour's time, a person can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four individual components to help save multiple lives.

Four years ago, CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial recommitted itself to the Blood Donor program by solidifying an alliance with the Blood Center of East Texas and hosting regular blood drives. The program reached and surpassed donor goals and dramatically increased awareness about the program. In turn, CHI St. Luke’s Health earned the Hospital of the Year award out of the more than 170 hospitals across 26 counties served by Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.

“At CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial we care for people and our Blood Donor program is one of the many ways we live up to that mission,” said Tina Alexander-Sellers, Blood Donor program Champion and Director of Marketing & Communications at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial. “Blood cannot be manufactured, and you never know whose life you may touch simply by giving a gift that is easy and free.”

In 2018, the hospital hosted six blood drives, including its holiday drive on December 26 to help replenish critically low blood supplies due to end-of-the year surgeries, accidents, transfusions and basic needs for blood products. That drive yielded enough blood donations to save 117 lives.

When Hurricane Harvey rocked the Texas coast in 2017, the hospital hosted a special 2-day record-setting blood drive in support of storm victims.

In the history of CHI St. Luke’s Health’s blood donor program, from 2003 to 2018, more than 3,000 units of blood have been collected, potentially helping save more than 9,000 lives.

“We are so grateful for all of our partners in this program, and to those who time and time again roll up their sleeves and donate the gift of life,” Alexander-Sellers said.

In addition to helping others, donating blood could also help save your own life. Studies show that giving blood can drastically improve heart health.

Blood viscosity may be one of the most important, but least understood, factors in cardiovascular health. How thick and sticky blood is—how much friction it creates moving through the blood vessels— is a major factor in determining how much damage it can do to the lining cells of the arteries. By regularly donating blood and lowering blood viscosity, a person can significantly lower his or her risk of heart attack.

CHI St. Luke’s Health will host its next blood drive on Wednesday, February 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Community Room A&B on the first floor of the hospital’s main campus. Donors will receive a free T-shirt and will be eligible for door prizes. Eat.  Drink.  Bring I.D.  To schedule your donation, visit giveblood.org or call 1(888) 482-5663. Sponsor Code 7659.

CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial’s 2019 Blood Drives

  • February 20
  • April 25
  • June 19
  • August 22
  • October 24
  • December 18

Top 10 Reasons to Donate Blood:

  1. Donating blood saves lives.
  2. It is a good way to give back to your community.
  3. The act of giving is selfless.
  4. You receive a free mini-physical.
  5. Every two seconds someone needs blood.
  6. The blood supply needs constant replenishment.
  7. One pint can help up to three people.
  8. Most people are eligible to donate blood.
  9. There is no substitute for human blood. It cannot be manufacture.
  10. You will have someone’s undying gratitude.

 

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