Replenish The Need

You may have seen a Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center mobile blood drive taking place in the Houston, East Texas, or College Station area. There’s a chance the blood drive was being held for someone who’s battling a disease or someone who’s been through trauma. Hosting a drive through the Replenish the Need Blood Drive Program is a special way to honor a loved one.          

“I got maybe four bags of blood because my count was super low,” Elijah Torres said.   

Elijah was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in November. He suffered multiple broken bones, including his spine, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Elijah had to have many surgeries and blood transfusions. In February, a blood drive was held in Elijah’s honor.  

“When it comes to donating, I think it’s worth giving your blood up for someone who needs it, somebody whose life can depend on it,” Elijah said.   

The Replenish the Need program formed in 2008. The two primary goals were to raise public awareness about the need for blood donations and assist family and friends of patients on how they can help honor their loved ones.  

 “Our donors are the patient’s hero,” said Mike Norman, Commit for Life Program Supervisor at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.   

 Mike plays a vital role in the program by spending a few weeks in the hospitals meeting the families. Over the last few years, his visits were limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s now able to get back into the hospitals to interact with patients. Mike spends time with the families and patients in their hospital rooms or at the outpatient clinic. He’s there to inform the families about the opportunity to host blood drives and how to pay it forward.  

“When a patient is being honored at a blood drive, it gives a family emotional support and ensures products will be available for medical treatment,” Mike said. “Organizations step up to host drives where a family may worship, work, or live, and it gives patients more time with their families and friends.” 

Patients in our region require about 1,000 units of blood every day to sustain the blood supply. The donations from Replenish the Need Program help the community so blood will continue to be available for anyone who needs a transfusion.  

 “Thank you to the donors for donating in the first place,” Elijah said. “It’s people like me that needed that.”  

 You can find more information on hosting a blood drive by clicking here.