The Blood Center East Texas was founded in 1980 under the Nacogdoches Memorial Foundation to ensure an adequate blood supply is available.  Local businesses, civic groups and individuals donated the funds necessary to open The Blood Center and to purchase a mobile donor coach.  In 1980, the center served one hospital and drew 1,411 donors. 

In 1984, another fund-raising program allowed the center to purchase the property located on Starr Avenue, across from the Stephen F. Austin State University campus. Ten years later, in 1994, two donors were recognized for giving 10 gallons of blood, and four individuals were accepted as bone marrow donors.

The year 1995 was a landmark year, marked with significant change.  In February 1995, The Blood Center East Texas contracted with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston, Texas to conduct all donor blood testing and provide the quality assurance programming required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the AABB. This contract brought quicker receipt of test results, a decrease in the cost of testing and a more timely release of components to area hospitals. 

Negotiations between the two blood centers began, and on Dec. 1, 1995, The Blood Center East Texas became an affiliate of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.  The affiliation contained provisions to retain local staff, establish a regional advisory board, allow representation on Gulf Coast’s Board of Trustees, maintain inventory levels necessary to meet hospital needs, continue regional identity and expand services to donors and hospitals.

By 1997, plans to construct a new facility were well under way as The Blood Center worked to meet regulatory requirements and Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s commitment to the health and well-being of the citizens of East Texas. Ground-breaking ceremonies took place on Dec. 17, 1997, on the construction site at 3520 N. University Drive.  In 1998, the center started several activities to help raise the funds needed to cover the costs of the construction project, which included the land, building and new equipment.  Due to the generosity of many individuals, businesses, community organizations and foundations, financial donations covered more than half of the cost of the building project.  The rest of the cost was financed through a group of local banks.

Almost one year later, on Dec. 2, 1998, the new facility was complete.  Many donors, community leaders, dignitaries, advisory board members and The Blood Center’s staff were on hand to dedicate the new building.  Recognition also was given to the many generous supporters who made financial contributions to The Blood Center Building Fund.

Following the opening of the new facility, several new programs began, which has benefited the East Texas area.   In March 1999, The Blood Center implemented an apheresis program that allows the blood donor to give a single component of his or her blood.   Up until then, apheresis platelet products supplied to area hospitals were produced by Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston.  The apheresis donation contains several times the component volume that can be collected from a single whole blood donation. 

In addition, a new consultation and reference laboratory was opened so that hospitals could send The Blood Center samples for testing. This allows for a shorter turnaround time in finding compatible blood products for area patients.   Also, the large training room in the facility has been made available for educational conferences and workshops, benefiting local laboratory technologists.

Today, The Blood Center East Texas is the local community blood center and primary supplier of blood products to eight hospitals and health care facilities in the six East Texas counties surrounding Lufkin and Nacogdoches. The area community continues to grow, so more individuals are encouraged to Commit for Life.  It takes three simple steps: 1) Donate once per quarter; 2) allow The Blood Center to contact you; and 3) spread the word, encouraging others to Commit for Life.  There is no substitute for blood, and it can only come from one person to be given to another.