Blood Donors’ Chances to Win Cruise Doubled
December 10, 2015 ─ Blood donors who give December 12 through January 8, with Oklahoma Blood Institute will get double the entries in a Caribbean cruise giveaway contest. The seven-night trip for two will be awarded to one donor who gives before Jan. 31, courtesy of fundraisingcruises.org.
A gift card to help with ground travel expenses to the port of Galveston will also be provided to the contest winner. All donors get nautical-themed T-shirts to brighten up their winter days.
Double entries are being offered through the holidays to inspire everyone 16 years or older* to make blood donation a priority. Holiday activities typically detract people from giving. Even so, patients in 154 state hospitals that Oklahoma Blood Institute serves rely on them for their very lives.
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.
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.
“While many of us dream of escaping on a warm-weather cruise, those needing blood are just grateful for improved health that blood donors give to them,” said Jan Laub, executive director, Oklahoma Blood Institute, Tulsa.
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
