Oklahoma Blood Institute Has Critical Need for Blood

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) has issued an alert due to a critical need for blood. Currently, the state's blood center has less than a typical, two-day supply for patients in the 150 Oklahoma medical facilities it serves.

All healthy adults, 17 and older, are asked to give blood at a donor center or area blood drive within the next few days. All blood types are needed. Those with O Negative blood types are especially asked to give, since they comprise only 8 percent of the population but have the blood type that can be universally used until the blood type of a patient in urgent need can be determined. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days.

According to John Armitage, M.D., President and CEO, the shortage has occurred even though more donors are turning out to give than in previous years.

"We have seen some 600 more people give blood this March as compared to last year, but the needs of our partner hospitals has spiked," Armitage said.

OBI supplies blood used by patients in most hospitals statewide, including all metro-area hospitals.

Oklahoma Blood Institute Donor Centers have extended their hours this week to make giving blood more convenient. Centers listed will be open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Apr. 2, and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Apr. 3.

• Edmond, 3409 S. Broadway

• Oklahoma City, 5105 N. Portland

• Oklahoma City, 1001 N. Lincoln Blvd.

• Norman, 1004 24th Ave. N.W.

• Ada, 1930 Stonecipher Blvd.

• Ardmore, 1420 Veterans Blvd.

• Enid, 301 E. Cherokee

• Lawton, 211 S.W. "A" Ave.

• Ponca City, 518 N. 14th

• Tulsa, 4601 E. 81st 

Appointments can be made by visiting the Oklahoma Blood Institute Web site or calling 1-877-340-8777.