The Oklahoma Blood Institute is asking any healthy adult to consider donating blood or blood products to help replenish dwindling supplies.

As the list of blood drives canceled due to coronavirus fears, the state’s blood supply is placed at risk.

“We need the public’s help to avoid a blood supply crisis,” an OBI spokesperson said. “Patients need blood products every day for chemotherapy treatments, trauma situations, neonatal care and more.

OBI provides whole blood and blood products to more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances across the state, including Mercy Hospital Kingfisher.

Because blood is a perishable product, continual donations are needed to maintain a sufficient supply. If donations stop, “our blood supply could be in crisis,” the spokesperson said.

“Approximately 1,200 donors are needed per day to maintain the supply of life saving blood,” the spokesperson said. “Each donation can save up to three lives.”

The CDC has found no evidence that coronavirus is spread through blood donations or blood products and OBI is taking extra precautions to provide for social distancing.

“On bloodmobiles, staff are placing donors to allow for maximum distance between visitors and appointments are encouraged to help us manage how many donors are present at one time,” she said.

Three upcoming local blood drives include:

•Pioneer Telephone Cooperative – 8 a.m.-3 p.m., April 14.

•Mercy Hospital – 9:30 a.m.-noon, May 1.

•Kingfisher Walmart – 2-5 p.m., May 1.

All three drives likely will utilize a bloodmobile as the collection point.

In the meantime, blood may be donated at any time at any OBI donation center, all of which have been adjusted to allow space for appropriate social distancing.

Appointments are requested to help regulate how many donors are present at one time.