Oklahoma Blood Donors Support Blood Centers Globally

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) is allowing its blood donors to support the Global Blood Fund, offering resources for blood centers in developing countries.

In June, blood donors can support the Global Blood Fund by forgoing T-shirts offered in appreciation when they give blood. In turn, OBI will make a monetary contribution of similar value. This gives donors a chance to ‘doubly give' – first, by giving blood and, then, by allowing OBI to use funds otherwise allocated for a donor incentive item to assist blood centers in countries where basic blood donation supplies are needed.

"June provides a special opportunity for our blood donors to give blood to help those in our communities and also help those around the world," said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. "We are very excited to continue this partnership with the Global Blood Fund, in conjunction with World Blood Donor Day which is annually celebrated June 14. We hope this program goes from being an Oklahoma ‘original' to a national standard within blood centers."

Global Blood Fund helps blood centers in developing countries purchase supplies and technologies necessary to ensure a safe, local blood supply. Equipment, such as donor beds, digital weighing scales, folding chairs and portable tables, are basic necessities for mobile blood donations, yet are lacking in some international blood centers.

All healthy Oklahomans, 17 and older, are encouraged to give blood every 56 days.

To learn more about the Global Blood Fund, visit www.globalbloodfund.org. To schedule an appointment to donate blood at any OBI site, call 877-340-8777, or visit the OBI Web site to see a list of blood drives and donor centers in your area.