Rise Up and Give Blood March 11-12 in Sallisaw

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is encouraging donors to rise up and give! Blood donors will receive a free, limited-edition T-shirt.

Individuals 16 and older are urged to give blood at the following times and locations:

Thursday, March 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Indian Capital Technology Center. and Friday, March 12, from 1:45-5:45 p.m. at the Sallisaw Walmart.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be managed as schedules allow. All donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies to identify potential convalescent plasma donors.*(see note below)

Those who have recovered from COVID-19 may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma at this drive. Call (888) 308-3924 or email coviddonor@obi.org to make an appointment.

“A year of the COVID-19 pandemic has put incredible strain on the blood supply,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Blood Institute. “Whether they’re fighting cancer or a blood disorder or overcoming trauma, patients in our community hospitals depend on blood every day. COVID-19 patients in intensive care are also counting on convalescent plasma, which can only be provided by those who have recovered from the virus or who test positive for the antibodies. Patients are the reason we’re asking anyone and everyone who is able to donate blood or plasma to ‘rise up and give’ as often as they can.”

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.  

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 about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org. More information on the Oklahoma Blood Institute can be found at obi.org.

*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission to donate blood, while 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds. Donors who are 18 and older must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo identification is 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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