Holiday Season Blood Donors Have Chance to Win Cruise
November 29, 2015 ─ Oklahoma Blood Institute hopes the chance to win a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two inspires people to give this holiday season. A lucky donor who gives between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31, will win the getaway from Fundraisingcruises.org/Milestonecruises.com. A gift card to help with ground travel expenses to the port of Galveston will also be provided to the winning donor. Each donor is guaranteed to receive a nautical-themed T-shirt as well as health screenings. People 16 years and older* are usually able to donate.
Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Tulsa donor center is located at 4601 E. 81st St. The donor center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The locations of convenient blood drives across the region can be found at obi.org.
Blood donation is a life-saving gift that costs nothing but time. One blood donation can save as many as three lives. People with negative blood types are especially urged to give. Only 18 percent of the population has negative blood types, but those with these types must have negative type blood when needed. Oklahoma Blood Institute is a nonprofit blood center that provides every drop of blood needed for patients in 154 hospitals throughout the state.
“The most valuable gift someone can give this holiday season is life. That is exactly what every blood donor is giving when they donate,” said Jan Laub, executive director, Oklahoma Blood Institute Tulsa. “I urge the community of Tulsa and surrounding areas to make blood donation a priority to fulfill patients’ wishes of being healthy to enjoy the holidays.”
Blood donations can be made every 56 days. Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visiting 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
