'Fangtastic Blood Drive' at Oklahoma Blood Institute

Chris Howell NewsOn6.com

TULSA---Members of the ballet ‘Dracula' were at The Oklahoma Blood Institute this morning, signing posters and encouraging people to give blood with a ‘Fangtastic' blood drive. The unique partnership between The Tulsa Ballet and The Oklahoma Blood Institute seemed only natural.

‘Count Dracula is famous for being the biggest blood-sucker of them all,' said Tulsa Ballet Artistic Director Marcello Angelini, ‘there is no better time to do a Dracula show than Halloween weekend, and by the same token it's always a good time to give blood.'

Although blood donations have been strong this fall, officials said the need for donors is ongoing.

‘You never want to take anything for granted,' said OBI Executive Director Crystal Farrimond, ‘we're always thankful for our donors who do come out and donate loyally, but we want to make sure that everybody knows that we need blood all the time.'

Donor Mary Griffin is type AB negative which makes her a universal platelet donor, she takes time each month to donate platelets which have a short shelf-life. She seem gratified to know her platelets were bound for a most worthy group of recipients; premature babies.

‘Once a month, once a year, for people to come in it all helps somebody, some individual here in the state of Oklahoma,' said Mary.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is located at 4601 E 81st Street in Tulsa
Telephone (918) 477-0400