January is National Blood Donor Month.

Oklahoma Blood Institute encourages healthy adults to “follow their instinct” and set aside about an hour to donate blood.

Oklahoma Blood Institute will hold a blood drive in honor of Kreede Schwarz with Carter Chevrolet on Monday, Jan. 27.

It will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at 214 W Oklahoma in Okarche.

Each blood donor will receive a free, limited edition, long-sleeved t-shirt and Eischen’s chicken.

“Some of our friends and neighbors are facing another year of difficult and life-threatening health challenges,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “We invite you to make a resolution in 2020 to give blood or platelets on a regular basis to ensure that the right blood is available for patients at the right time.”

Someone needs blood every two seconds and the supply must be constantly renewed. One blood donation can save up to three patients’ lives.

If donors opt not to take the t-shirt, Oklahoma Blood Institute will make a monetary donation to Global Blood Fund for blood center assistance in developing countries.

As the nation’s sixth largest non-profit blood collector, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals statewide.

It takes nearly 1,200 donors a day to meet those needs. Appointments to give blood are not required but can be made by calling Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org.