Blood Need Still Critical, Thunder Offers Tickets for Donations

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Blood Institute said there is still an critical need for blood donations and the Oklahoma City Thunder is providing tickets vouchers to help get more donors.

The blood supply for Oklahomans in nearly 150 medical facilities, including all OKC metro-area hospitals, has declined due to recent winter weather and holidays.

To encourage Oklahomans to donate blood on Monday, Jan. 4 and Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Thunder has provided OBI with complementary ticket vouchers, redeemable for two tickets to future basketball games. The vouchers are available Monday and Tuesday only at all OKC-metro OBI donor centers and will be given to those who donate while supplies last.

 "We are very pleased and thankful for the donors who have helped out and shown their support during the past week, but the work is not done yet," says John Armitage, M.D., President & Chief Executive. "There are adequate supplies of blood to meet the needs of patients now at the hospitals we serve, but our projection for need within the next few days is far greater than the number of donors anticipated."

Healthy adults, 17 and older, are encouraged to donate. Blood can be given every 56 days. Appointments to donate can be scheduled by calling 1-877-340-8777, or visiting OBI's Web site.

OBI OKC-metro area donor center hours for Jan. 4 and 5 are:

Sylvan N. Goldman Center, 1001 N. Lincoln Blvd-

1/4: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., 1/5: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Edmond, 3409 S. Broadway, Ste. 300-

1/4: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., 1/5: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Norman, 1004 24th Ave. N.W., Ste.101-

1/4: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., 1/5: 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

North OKC, 5105 N. Portland Ave.-

1/4: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., 1/5: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Vouchers are redeemable at the Ford Center box office during regular box office hours, subject to ticket availability at the time of redemption, for the following Thunder games:

 Wed., January 6 vs. New Orleans Hornets, Sat., January 9 vs. Indiana Pacers, Mon., January 11 vs. New York Knicks, Wed., January 27 vs. Chicago Bulls.