Beginning today, Oklahoma Blood Institute and Science Museum Oklahoma have an exciting new adventure in store for donors who give blood to help patients in local hospitals: Donors who give blood at Oklahoma Blood Institute mobile drives and donor centers May 14 through Aug. 30 will receive free admission to SMO for one adult and one child as well as a limited edition “Let the Adventure Begin” t-shirt.
“With summer on the way, we want to give donors another extraordinary reason to give the priceless gift of blood, and we are excited to forge a new community partnership with Science Museum Oklahoma,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “Patients need blood 365 days a year, but the summer months present a unique challenge since so many of us are busy with travel and activities, and we may get out of our normal donation routines.
Recently recognized by USA Today as being home to a must-see museum exhibit for summer 2018 — “Into the Fold: The Art and Science of Origami” — Science Museum Oklahoma offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits, daily live chemistry and physics shows, art galleries, the chance to explore the stars in the Kirkpatrick Planetarium and much more in the museum’s 350,000 square feet.
“We are thrilled to partner with Oklahoma Blood Institute and support their life-saving work,” said Linda Maisch, vice president for community engagement at Science Museum Oklahoma. “The summer months are not only a critical time for blood donation, but also a wonderful time to explore the wonders of science at SMO. We look forward to welcoming Oklahoma Blood Institute donors from around the state and region.”
Only ten percent of people in the United States who are eligible to give blood actually do. Blood donation takes just about an hour, and each donation can save the lives of up to three patients. Donors also receive free health screenings. If they opt not to take the t-shirt, Oklahoma Blood Institute will make a monetary donation to Global Blood Fund for blood center assistance in developing countries.
As a non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide. Approximately 1,200 volunteer blood donors are needed each day to maintain the supply.
Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org.
Upcoming blood drives in Bryan County are:
May 17 – Oakridge Nursing Center – 9:15 a.m.-noon
May 17 – Calera Manor – 2:00-4:45 p.m.
May 19 – Walmart – Durant – 1:15-5:00 p.m.
May 21 – Beats for Baby Blair – noon-4:30 p.m.
May 23 – Alliance Health – Durant – 1:30-5:30 p.m.
May 25 – HealthBack Home Health – Durant – 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
May 25 – Durant Physical Therapy – 3:30-6:00 p.m.
May 31 – Choctaw Casino – 8 a.m.-10 p.m.