OBI In Need Of Blood Donations To Help Tornado Victims In Midwest

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is asking for extra blood donors as they are sending blood north to help with tornado relief efforts. OBI officials say they are always low on blood this time of year because people are busy with the holidays, but right now, the need is even greater due to the devastating tornados.

OBI has come together with 24 other blood banks across the country as a way to stay prepared for a mass need of blood, such as the deadly tornados across the Midwest last weekend. This system is called the "Blood Emergency Readiness Corp." It’s a new program that was designed this year that has increased blood readiness when it comes to natural or manmade disasters.

OBI Executive Director Jan Laub says this week, they are sending blood to Tennessee to replenish their supply that was sent to Kentucky for tornado victims in need.

“People should be confident that if something happens then our blood centers across the nation are in much better shape to provide that product,” Laub said.

She told News On 6 that Oklahoma is no stranger to devastating tornadoes so they are happy to help these states in need.

“We wake up and we see something like that and we immediately know here is what needs to happen,” Laub said. “We’ve lived it, and we know it, and we know how to get it done, and we are doing it.”

If you would like to donate and help those tornado victims you can do so by scheduling an appointment online at YourBloodInstitute.org, or just by walking in.