Oklahoma Blood Institute and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum are encouraging donors to give blood this spring.

Individuals aged 16 and up are urged to give blood at one of these upcoming dates and locations:

• April 14 at Pioneer Telephone Cooperative from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• April 28 at Kingfisher High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Successful blood donors will receive their choice of colorful spring t-shirt and one free adult admission to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the nation’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture.

“We count on the support of not only our donors, but community partners such as the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which recognize the importance of our life-saving mission and are willing to step up to offer our generous donors a fantastic incentive to give blood,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute.

Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777.

Donors who have received the most common vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson) may donate blood without a waiting period, assuming they are feeling well.

Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives, said Armitage.