To keep the blood supply strong through the July 4th weekend, Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) is urging all Oklahomans to make donation a priority. An All-American blood drive with the Tulsa Drillers will occur Friday, June 24, 4pm to 9:30pm at ONEOK Field. Two tickets to the Drillers’ July 8th game and fireworks show will be awarded to each person who gives.
•• Each blood donor will also receive two free tickets to the Tulsa Zoo, a zoo-themed T-shirt, and a chance to win use of the Drillers Party Platform.
“Holidays are a time for celebration, but most people don’t realize they are a time of vulnerability for the state’s blood supply,” said Jan Laub, Oklahoma Blood Institute Tulsa, Executive Director. “We are grateful for all donors who can take time before the holiday weekend to help Oklahomans who will need blood through the summer.”
To help encourage donations at the Friday, June 24 game, six-year-old and blood recipient, BW White, will throw the first pitch. Thanks to volunteer blood donors, BW is able to play baseball for the first time this summer.
In 2012 when BW was only two years old, his family noticed he wasn’t bouncing back to his normal self and was very pale after having a troublesome tooth pulled. The doctor at an urgent care clinic had the same concern of his paleness and decided to run a few blood tests. BW’s mother, Dixie, says, “we waited and the doctor came back in with “that look” the I hate to tell you this look.”
BW and his family went straight to Saint Francis Children’s Hospital where he received his first 2 blood transfusions over a course of 8 hours. They were still waiting he hear from doctors exactly what was wrong with BW. The next morning their worst fears were confirmed, their sweet baby boy had Leukemia.
BW spent 95 days total in the hospital and received 38 blood transfusions fighting his invisible enemy. He completed his last treatment of chemotherapy on October 31, 2015. Without blood donors, blood products would not have been available for BW and he wouldn’t be the energetic, fun loving, six-year-old boy he is today.
Oklahoma Blood Institute’s volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 90 percent of the medical facilities across Oklahoma. Anyone, 16 and older* and, generally in good health, can typically donate blood. Donations can be made every 56 days.
To schedule an appointment to give at the All-American Blood Drive, call 1-877-340-8777, or visit www.obi.org.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds
