Appointments are now open for the Texas Medical Association’s inaugural blood drive at TexMed 2026 in Corpus Christi. Attendees can roll up their sleeve and give April 17 or April 18 at the Hilliard Center.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended:
To be eligible, regular donors should have made their last donation at least 56 days prior to the event, which was Feb. 20. Blood donated at TexMed 2026 may be used to support Texas’ prehospital whole blood program: Eligible units may be used by EMS and HALO-FLIGHT air ambulances to treat trauma, internal bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, and other critical emergencies before patients reach the hospital.
To donate whole blood, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing will be offered at no cost to determine if donors have HLA antibodies, which may not be present in donated platelets. Attendees simply must notify donation staff at the time of donation if you’d like to be tested.
Donations lacking HLA antibodies may be placed into the whole blood supply for usage by EMS ground or air units. Donors who test positive, or opt not to be tested, may still give blood and play a vital role in saving lives.
All donors will receive a long-sleeve, fishing-themed shirt and a coupon to Longhorn Steakhouse, courtesy of the Coastal Bend Blood Center.
The TexMed 2026 blood drive comes after state lawmakers recognized that putting more prehospital whole blood into the field can help save lives.
The Governor’s EMS and Trauma and Advisory Council, Pre-Hospital Whole Blood Task Force and Texas Department of State Health Services have joined forces with TMA physicians and other stakeholders to build a statewide prehospital whole blood program with $10 million in financial backing.
To schedule an appointment or for more questions, please contact the Coastal Bend Blood Center at 361-855-4943.
Last Updated On
March 17, 2026
Originally Published On
March 17, 2026