Give Thanks, Give Blood Nov. 2 and 6

November is the month of thankfulness, and the Oklahoma Blood Institute is thanking generous donors who volunteer their time to give the gift of lifesaving blood with a limited edition “Give Blood, Give Life” face mask.

Individuals age 16 and up are urged to give blood at one of these locations:

*Vian Community Blood Drive, Monday, Nov. 2, from 1-6 p.m. on the Bloodmobile parked at Marvin’s IGA.

*Walmart in Sallisaw on Friday, Nov. 6, from 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Appointments are preferred. Walk-ins will be managed as schedules allow.

Donors will also receive a coupon for a free Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit from Whataburger.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is the local, nonprofit blood supplier, supporting the inventory for patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.  

All donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies to identify potential convalescent plasma donors.

“We are truly grateful to our donors who have stepped up during these extremely difficult months for the blood supply,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of the Oklahoma Blood Institute. “The need for blood is constant. Children with cancer cannot wait for lifesaving treatment, trauma patients cannot wait for transfusions and other patients with life-threatening conditions rely on blood products. We want to help our selfless donors stay safe and healthy, and this limited-edition face mask is our way of saying, ‘thank you’ this Thanksgiving season.”

Blood drives will be managed according to CDC safety recommendations. The Oklahoma Blood Institute is committed to maintaining the safest standards for blood collection, testing and transfusion.

Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling or texting Greg at (479) 652-2362 or visiting obi.org. More information on the Oklahoma Blood Institute can be found at obi.org.

To donate, 16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; folks 18 and over must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required. Donors ages 16 or 17 need parental consent to be screened for COVID-19 antibodies and are not eligible to donate convalescent plasma. This test has not been FDA cleared or approved. It has been authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization for use by authorized laboratories. The test has been authorized only for the detection of the IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. Blood drives will be managed according to CDC safety recommendations. Test results will be made available post-donation.

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