Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) has declared a blood emergency across the state as its supply has reached a less than one-day supply. Declines in blood donation have left the blood inventory critically low.

 

“The need for donation is constant, since blood has a limited time for use,” John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO, said. “The last few weeks we’ve had a significant decrease in blood donors. We expect some decline the week of Christmas, but we haven’t experienced low turnouts like this in the past few years. With a typical supply of three to five days, OBI can only bear a few days of such declines without hitting an emergency situation.”

Donors with Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) provide every drop of blood for patients in 158 medical facilities and air ambulances across the state.

“Presently, there are adequate supplies of blood at hospitals we serve to meet the needs of patients, but our projections for need and expected donors within the next few days cause great concern,” said Armitage.

OBI encourages all Oklahomans, age 16 and older, to make blood donation their gift for those who cannot live without it. Donations typically take about an hour and can be made every 56 days.

Oklahoma Blood Institute donor centers are located in the following cities:

  • Ada,1930 Stonecipher Blvd.
  • Lawton, 211 S.W. A Ave.
  • Ardmore, 1420 Veterans Blvd.
  • Norman, 1004 24th Ave. N.W., Ste. 101
  • Central OKC, 901 N. Lincoln Blvd.
  • North OKC, 5105 N. Portland Ave.
  • Edmond, 3409 S. Broadway, Ste. 300
  • Tulsa, 4601 E. 81st St.
  • Enid, 301 E. Cherokee

Hours of operation and locations of convenient blood drives are listed at obi.org. Appointments are not required but are urged to avoid delays. They can be made online or by calling 877-340-8777.

Although all blood types are needed, those with negative type blood are especially urged to give. Only 18 percent of the population has a negative type blood. Yet, when those with negative types need blood, they can only receive negative type blood.

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