Heroes Needed to Donate Blood

Oklahoma Blood Institute needs strong, inspiring, giving, and heroic blood donors to save the lives of local patients!

Blood donors will receive their choice of inspirational t-shirt in one of three featured colors: coral, sky blue, or gray. Healthy adults, age sixteen and up, can give blood at one of the following drives*:

* Vian Community Blood Drive; Friday, March 1, 1 to 6 p.m. at Marvin’s IGA.

* Wal Mart Sallisaw; Friday, March 1, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

“Whether it’s an emergency or a life-threatening illness, someone needs blood every two seconds,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “Blood is needed 365 days a year at our local hospitals. We encourage Oklahomans to be heroes for patients and donate as often as they can.”

Oklahoma Blood Institute relies on donations from approximately 1,200 donors each day to meet the needs of patients statewide. One blood donation takes only about an hour and can save as many as three lives.

Only ten percent of people in the United States who are eligible to give blood actually do. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelet donations can be made as often as every 7 days, up to 24 times a year. Those with negative blood types are especially urged to give.

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 a non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s generous donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals statewide. Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Greg at 479-652-2362 or visiting obi.org.

KXMX News Staff

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