Oklahoma Blood Institute has two blood drives planned in Kingfisher County next week. The scheduled drives are:

•Wednesday, March 27, at Dover High School, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.;

•Wednesday, March 28, at Cashion High School, 1-6:30 p.m.

Blood donors will receive their choice of inspirational t-shirt in one of three featured colors: coral, sky blue, or gray.   

Donors will also receive a coupon from Whataburger for a free honey butter chicken biscuit and be entered for a chance to win Whataburger for a year.  Healthy adults, age 16 and up, can give blood.  

“Whether it’s an emergency or a life-threatening illness, someone needs blood every two seconds,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “Blood is needed 365 days a year at our local hospitals. We encourage Oklahomans to be heroes for patients and donate as often as they can.”

 O-negative blood donors are especially urged to give, as recent cold weather and flu illnesses have strained Oklahoma Blood Institute’s supply of this universal blood type.

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

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

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.

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.