Oklahoma Blood Institute Working To Recover After Winter Storm

Jon Jordan, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Blood Institute has continued to extend its hours in hopes of restocking its donations after the winter storm caused a shortage of supply at the bank.

The waiting room at the Oklahoma Blood Institute's central location was full with over 100 people donating blood compared to around 40 or so on a normal day. In addition to keeping their doors open Sunday, the OBI has had a massive get out and donate campaign using both radio commercials and billboards posted throughout the city. Officials said its an effort that's paying off.

"Our current donor centers are packed to capacity, and it's because of Oklahomans willing to help each other, really, that we are able to continue to provide what we need to the hospitals, to help those 150 hospitals on our state," said Duston Conover, Oklahoma Blood Institute.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute said normally they have enough blood on hand for a three day supply, but after Tuesday's blizzard they had only a one day supply.

Donors can give at one of several Oklahoma Blood Institute locations in Tulsa, Ardmore, Ada, Lawton, Enid and Ponca City and five in the OKC-metro area.

Find a donation center near you