03/13/2019
Oklahoma Blood Institute is experiencing an emergency blood shortage and is issuing an urgent call for donors of all blood types.
Several days of winter weather, blood drive cancellations, and widespread illness, including a flu outbreak, have all contributed to a sharp downturn in donations. Levels have reached a less than one-day supply. Typically, Oklahoma Blood Institute maintains a three- to five-day supply for local hospitals.
“Because close to a quarter of our blood collections comes from school blood drives, school closings can be devastating to our inventory. With Spring Break around the corner, our schools and universities will be out again, and many people will be leaving the state for vacation. So, it is imperative to replenish the supply right away,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “We are calling on all healthy Oklahomans to take about an hour of their time to give blood for our friends and neighbors in need.”
Oklahoma Blood Institute encourages all Oklahomans, age 16 and older, to donate blood as soon as they can. * To schedule an appointment to give blood, call 1-877-340-8777 or visit obi.org to see a list of mobile blood drives. Donors may also visit Oklahoma Blood Institute’s Tulsa donor center near 81st & Yale.
Volunteer donors with Oklahoma Blood Institute exclusively provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.
Every two seconds, someone needs blood. One donation saves up to three lives. Oklahoma Blood Institute depends on an average of 1,200 donors per day to meet the needs of patients in our state. These patients rely on blood to survive an emergency injury or illness, or for ongoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening diseases and conditions.
Oklahoma Blood Institute has developed “Thank the Donor,” a unique web application that allows blood recipients to send messages of appreciation, photos, or videos to their individual blood donors. To view messages from patients who are given hope, health, and healing through blood donation, please visit www.drawing-together.org to see their heartfelt appreciations.
Look for updates on this alert on Oklahoma Blood Institute’s social media platforms. More information about Oklahoma Blood Institute can be found at obi.org.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+-year-olds must weigh at least 110 pounds
OBI will also be back in Owasso on Friday, March 29th, use the link below to make an appointment. Donors will receive a free t-shirt AND a coupon from Whataburger. Donors will also have a chance to win Whataburger for a year!
https://www.yourbloodinstitute.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/288507
Tulsa Technology Center – Owasso
Friday, 03/29/2019 (08:00 am – 03:00 pm)
10800 N. 140th E. Ave.
Tulsa Technology Center Owasso – Grand Ballroom
Owasso, OK 74055
