Over 360 Blood Donations Helped to Save Life of Deputy Injured Friday

OKLAHOMA CITY –

An Oklahoma County Deputy is hospitalized after an accident Friday, officials said it was a challenge to get him to the point of recovery.

Oklahoma County Deputy Jeremy McCain’s heart stopped three times Friday night after his squad car crashed into a metal security gate, and its metal arm pinned him in his car.

“He died a third time in the OR but was revived. Doctors say he received over 60 units of blood. Now that is a lot of blood,” explained Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson.

The deputy has a broken neck after he hit the gate head on. In a press conference Monday morning, Sheriff Johnson read a letter written by Deputy McCain’s family. “It brings us comfort to have the entire state of Oklahoma backing us through this difficult time,” read the Sheriff.

Selfless Oklahomans are also the reason Deputy McCain is still alive today.

“It’s one of those things that never stops. We constantly have to have donors in,” said Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Public Relations Manager, Jacklyn Chappell.

One unit of blood is made up of six to eight blood donations. The over 60 units of donated blood that pumps through Deputy McCain’s veins is made up of over 360 donors.

“It’s, like, almost like a game of chess or a puzzle piece. Every single time you take a piece away we have to try to get another donor in for it,” said Chappell.

Jacklyn Chappell said she’s also seen for herself just how important the life saving donations are.

“A couple years ago, my dad had a heart transplant and he needed multiple units of blood even before he got his transplant and he used more and more during his actual surgery. It’s crazy to think about that, my dad truly wouldn’t be here today without people donating blood,” Chappell said.

OBI said with it being Spring Break, they expect a dip in donations. They also hope after people have seen the donations in action, they’ll take time this break to roll up their sleeves.

“If you can give us an hour out of your day, you may be giving the rest of someone’s life to someone else. So it’s like why not?” Chappell said.

For information on how to donate.

Deputy McCain’s GoFundMe.