Oklahoma Blood Institute is planning a pair of local blood drives in the coming days.

The drives are scheduled at:

 • Cimarron Electric Cooperative, Tuesday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Sunday, May 19, 8 a.m. to noon.

“Summer is a particularly challenging time for the blood supply,” said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO.

“People go out of town, and are busy with activities, and get out of their normal routine of giving blood. We encourage healthy adults to spare just an hour of their time to save the lives of their neighbors.”

 Oklahoma Blood Institute relies on donations from approximately 1,200 donors each day  to meet the needs of patients statewide. One blood donation can save as many as three lives.

 Only 10 percent of people in the United States who are eligible to give blood actually do, according to the OBI.  

Whole blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelet donations can be made as often as every seven days, up to 24 times a year.  

As a non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s generous donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities, and air ambulances statewide.  

Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Greg at 479-652-2362 or visiting obi.org.