January is National Blood Donor Month, and the perfect time to make a resolution to save local lives.
Oklahoma Blood Institute encourages healthy adults to “follow their instinct,” and set aside about an hour from their busy schedules to donate blood.*
Blood donors will receive a free, limited edition, long-sleeved t-shirt. Donors are urged to give at one of the following blood drives:
- Victory Worship Center, 618 E. Hartford; Sunday, January 12th, from 12pm to 3pm
- Kanza Health Center, 3151 E. River Road; Tuesday, January 14th, from 9am to 1pm
- Blackwell High School, 303 E. Coolidge Ave.; Wednesday, January 15th, from 9am to 2pm
- Kildare School, 1265 Church Street; Friday, January 17th, from 2:30pm to 6pm
“Some of our friends and neighbors are facing another year of difficult and life-threatening health challenges,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Texas Blood Institute. “We invite you to make a resolution in 2020 to give blood or platelets on a regular basis to ensure that the right blood is available for patients at the right time.”
Blood recipients have the opportunity to send a message of appreciation to their individual blood donor, anonymously, through Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Thank the Donor™ program.
Every two seconds, someone needs blood, and the supply must be constantly renewed. One blood donation can save up to three patients’ lives. If donors opt not to take the t-shirt, Oklahoma Blood Institute will make a monetary donation to Global Blood Fund for blood center assistance in developing countries.
As the nation’s 6th largest non-profit blood collector, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals statewide. It takes nearly 1,200 donors a day to meet those needs. Appointments to give blood are not required but can be made by calling Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
