February 12, 2016─ Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) invite all area residents to take the Blood Donor Challenge at two Owasso blood drives. Blood given with OBI will save the lives of patients in area hospitals including Saint Francis Health System.
Each donor will receive Blood Donor Challenge T-shirts at these drives:
- Friday, February 25, at Lowe’s Owasso, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, February 26, at YMCA Owasso, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Some of our friends and neighbors face the challenge of simply staying alive every day,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO, Oklahoma Blood Institute. “This event challenges those who have never given life-saving blood to step up and join the movement. And, since our donors typically give only once or twice a year, we want to challenge them to give more often.” Donations can be made as often as every two months or six times a year.
OBI relies on donations from an average of 1,000 donors each day to meet the needs of patients in nearly 90 percent of the state’s hospitals it exclusively serves. One single donation can save as many as three lives.
Through a special initiative to support Global Blood Fund (GBF), any donor can forgo the T-shirt offered in appreciation for giving. In turn, OBI will make a contribution to GBF, a charity providing supplies and equipment for blood centers in the world’s poorest countries.
Appointments to donate are not required but can be made by calling (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
