Area Schools Schedule January Blood Drives

January is National Blood Donor Month, and it is the perfect time to make a resolution to save local lives. 

The Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) 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:

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1-6 p.m.: Liberty and Eastside School 

Donors at this drive will also receive a jar of “Galaxy Slime” for their student.

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Vian High School

Thursday, Jan. 23, noon to 6 p.m.: Gans Schools

Donors at this drive will receive a jar of “Galaxy Slime” for their elementary student. 

“Some of our friends and neighbors are facing another year of difficult and life-threatening health challenges,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and chief executive officer of the 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 an anonymous message of appreciation to their individual blood donor through the OBI’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. 

As the nation’s 6th-largest nonprofit blood collector, OBI 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 Greg at (479) 652-2362 or by visiting obi.org.

Please note that 16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; and those 18 and over must weigh at least 110 pounds to donate.

KXMX News Staff

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