Our Blood Institute (OBI) will hold a pair of local drives later this month in Kingfisher.

One is April 26 at Kingfi sher High School. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The other is April 28 at Kingfisher Corner Nutrition. The Bloodmobile will be mobilized from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Blood donors will receive a free, “Happy To Be a Blood Donor” t-shirt featuring a smiley face, while supplies last.

Donors will also get one free admission to the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden.

“What better way to spread a smile than by saving someone’s life through your blood donation,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of OBI.

“Our blood supply is an essential part of our health care system, so we’re extremely thankful for partners like the OKC Zoo and Zoo Botanical Garden for their partnership in helping ensure we continue to have a healthy blood supply for patients in need.”

Every two seconds, someone needs blood, and the supply must be constantly renewed.

It takes approximately 1,200 donors a day to meet those needs.

OBI is the sixth-largest independent blood center in the nation, with 16 donor centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas, including nine centers throughout Oklahoma.

OBI provides more than 90 percent of Oklahoma’s blood supply to more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances. Appointments to give blood are not required, but can be made by calling OBI at 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org. One blood donation only takes about an hour and saves up to three patients’ lives.