Media Inquiries
Our Community Relations staff is available 24 hours a day to respond to media inquiries. Contact Leslie Gamble, Community Relations Director, at 405-278-3119 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with questions or to schedule an interview.
Cowboys Win Spring Bedlam Blood Battle
May 8, 2012 – The winning school in this semester’s Bedlam Blood Battle was Oklahoma State University (OSU). A total of 1,096 Cowboys volunteered to give blood with Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) in the friendly competition between the state’s two largest universities. The University of Oklahoma (OU) rallied 1,047 on its Norman campus, making this the closest outcome of the blood battles held in the past four semesters. 
As the leader of the state’s blood center noted, everyone is a winner in this effort. “The Bedlam Blood Battle is a great opportunity for blood donors to show their school spirit.” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO. “We can’t say enough about how tremendous many student groups have been. They have given great amounts of time and energy, as well as blood, in the Bedlam Blood Battle. While the rivalry is certainly important to them, it’s obvious they truly want anyone who needs blood in Oklahoma hospitals to have no concern about it being readily available.”
With 1,734 people, combined, actually able to donate, the Bedlam Blood Battle will make a life-saving difference for more than 5,200 people, since as many as three lives can be saved by each blood donor. The Bedlam Blood Battle trophy was presented to OSU at the Bedlam baseball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday.
OBI blood donors with provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 144 medical facilities statewide. This includes all metro Oklahoma City-area hospitals. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America. Oklahoma Blood Institute has partnered with OU and Sooner Sports Properties and OSU and Cowboy Sports Properties as an Associate Sponsor of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Bedlam Series.
OBI – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
April 27, 2012 - Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) is actively seeking volunteers. Opportunities for camaraderie, community service and skill development exist in offices, donor centers and at mobile blood drives. Flexible times and a variety of medically-related and administrative roles are available. Anyone 16 or older can inquire about volunteering with Oklahoma Blood Institute.
Some volunteers are loyal blood donors and want to help in additional ways. Others are not able to give blood but realize its life-saving importance. Through volunteer roles, they greatly contribute to Oklahoma Blood Institute’s live-saving mission.
“We value our 1,000 volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and interests,” said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. “Together, they give more than 30,000 hours annually in a variety of fulfilling roles and also contribute a positive spirit that’s unsurpassed!”
Click here, for information about volunteer opportunities in your area.
OU Athletic Department Opens Arms for Blood Drive
April 25, 2012 – The University of Oklahoma (OU) Athletic Department opened its arms for a two-day blood drive this week. Some130 staff and students joined them to support Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI).
Coaches greeted donors and showed their support. Sherri Coale, OU women’s head basketball coach, said, “We’ve all known someone involved in a catastrophe, especially here in Oklahoma with natural disasters. The need to have a healthy blood bank is huge. It’s something we can all do, and it’s so easy.”
OU Men’s Basketball Coach Lon Kruger said he appreciated the opportunity to say thanks to those who have contributed in the past and at this time, “From my own personal history, my parents needed blood. It’s something you can do that, afterward, you feel good about it.”
Since every donation can save the lives of as many as three people, OBI estimates that 390 lives will be saved as a result of this blood drive.
“There’s no doubt that this OU department produces winning teams,” said John Armitage, M.D., OBI president and CEO, “and, today, they are leading the university in selfless giving to, literally, save lives! You can be certain they are champions in the eyes of all Oklahomans who will need life-saving blood in the next few weeks.”
Schedule your donation today at one of our donor centers or at a mobile drive near you.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Spring Is A Great Time To Give
March 1, 2012 ─ Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) encourages all healthy adults, 16 and older*, to donate blood during March to save the lives of those in our community hospitals. All blood donors will receive an insulated travel cup, free health screenings and Donor Rewards Points. “This month—especially with spring break—fewer people typically donate,” said John Armitage, Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. “But the blood needs for patients in our local hospitals remains.”
Although all blood types are needed to maintain OBI’s typical 3-day supply, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population. However, O-negative blood can be used by anyone in an emergency situation, regardless of type.
Blood donations can be made every 56 days. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America, providing every drop of blood needed by patients in more than 135 medical facilities across Oklahoma.
Schedule your donation today at one of our donor centers or at a mobile drive near you.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
‘Share the love’ this February
February 1, 2012 ─ ‘Share the love’ this February by donating blood with Oklahoma Blood Institute OBI. All donors in February will receive an OBI ice scraper, free health screenings and Donor Rewards Points.
Additionally, if blood donors choose to forgo the donor appreciation item, funds designated for this item will be directed to our partnering organization, the American Heart Association. Oklahoma Blood Institute and the American Heart Association (AHA) share a common goal, to keep people healthy. The American Heart Association wants everyone to know their numbers and act on them. That’s the first step in changing cardiovascular health statistics. Because blood donors receive a mini health check, including blood pressure and cholesterol results, every time they come to donate, those numbers are readily available to each donor.
“As the winter months come to a close, it’s important for donors to continue giving,” said John Armitage, Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. “The weather remains unpredictable, but the need for blood remains steady.”
Although all blood types are needed to maintain OBI’s typical 3-day supply, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population. However, O-negative blood can be used by anyone in an emergency situation, regardless of their type.
Blood donations can be made every 56 days. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America, providing every drop of blood needed by patients in more than 150 medical facilities across Oklahoma.
Schedule an appointment at on of our donor centers or at a mobile drive, today!
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
National Blood Donor Month
January 1, 2012 - Oklahoma Blood Institute volunteer blood donors save lives. We all know it, but how often are we affected by it? Thousands of people in our state are alive today because blood donors helped them survive accidents, surgeries, chemotherapies or other serious health threats. Oklahoma Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed by patients in more than 135 medical facilities across Oklahoma.
For instance, patients like Lauryn Watkins. Lauryn is a vibrant six-year old girl with a contagious smile and inspiring attitude. But in February of 2010, Lauryn’s family was faced with devastating news: Lauryn was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). It began with symptoms similar to a sinus infection. Rounds of antibiotics provided no relief, and intense leg pains were so terrible at times, Lauryn was forced to crawl.
After two bone marrow biopsies, numerous spinal taps, doses of intense chemotherapy drugs and blood transfusions, Lauryn’s cancer is now in remission, and her treatment is in the maintenance stage.
In August of 2011, Lauryn and her family were able to meet three of the six donors whose blood Lauryn had received. As with all OBI donors, they gave not knowing who would receive their blood, or what kind of impact it would have.
“I remember the first time Lauryn received blood and all the many thoughts and questions that were racing through my mind,” said Sherri Ellis, Lauryn’s mom. “It was such an honor to shake the hands and hug the necks of the individuals who took the time to donate blood to a complete stranger, someone you never expected to meet.”
Thanks to Oklahoma Blood Institute blood donors, Lauryn now enjoys dance, gymnastics, school and friends.
January is National Blood Donor Month – the perfect time for first-time blood donors and those who donate regularly, to remember the reason for giving blood and the impact we all can make for families like Lauryn’s.
All healthy adults are encouraged to give blood. Age and weight criteria:
- 16 years old; ≥ 125 lbs. with parental consent
- 17 years old; ≥ 125 lbs.
- 18 years or older; ≥ 110 lbs.
Getting older does not make people ineligible to donate. People who feel well and can do normal day-to-day activities can probably donate. People can give blood every 56 days.
The need for blood is constant. Patients in Oklahoma hospitals have needs 365 days a year, whether it’s for scheduled treatments or for emergencies. Since there is no substitute for human blood, supplies must be constantly renewed.
Find a blood drive near you or visit one of our donor centers to give blood.
Save A Life & Show Your School Spirit
November 1, 2011 — Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) and Bedlam partners Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma are partners in blood drives this fall. Each donor will receive a free health screening and a Bedlam OU or OSU donor T-shirt. One lucky donor this fall will win a pair of tickets to the 2011 Bedlam football game.* All healthy Oklahomans 16 and older** are encouraged to give blood.
Of those eligible to donate blood in the U.S., less than ten percent actually donate each year. Yet, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, and the process of donation takes only about an hour. “Hospitals rely on us to provide blood needed for scheduled treatments and emergencies,” according to John Armitage, M.D., OBI President and CEO. “We are committed to ensuring Oklahomans have blood when it is needed, 365 days-a-year.”
Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America.
Find a blood drive near you or visit one of our donor centers to give blood.
*Blood donation is voluntary, and no contribution, donation, purchase or payment is necessary to enter prize drawing.
** 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Make Blood Donation a Priority This Fall
September 26, 2011 ─ Donors with Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) this fall will receive a T-shirt, health screenings and Donor Rewards Points, redeemable for merchandise in OBI’s online store, when they donate blood.
“OBI is very fortunate to have such loyal, giving blood donors,” said Dr. John Armitage, OBI president and CEO. “In order to maintain our three-day supply of blood, it is important for blood donors to donate as often as they are able.”
Donors can also support the Global Blood Fund by forgoing the T-shirt offered for donating blood. In this way, donor can doubly give – both by donating life-saving blood used locally, and by assisting blood centers in developing countries with supplies.
Although all blood types are needed, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population. However, O-negative blood can be used by anyone in an emergency situation when a patient’s blood type has not yet been identified.
Anyone who is generally healthy and 16 or older* can donate blood. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America, providing every drop of blood needed by patients in 131 medical facilities across Oklahoma, including all Oklahoma City metro-area hospitals.
For more information or to make an appointment, contact Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or click here to schedule online.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Blood Donor Wins New Subaru
August 15, 2011 - When Terry Tatarian, Edmond, donated blood at Oklahoma Blood Institute’s (OBI) event with Bob Moore Auto Group, Aug. 6, she knew it felt good. But Tatarian didn’t imagine the good deed would result in winning a 2011 Subaru Forester. “I’m shocked. I donate blood every time I can, but to win a car is amazing,” she said. Oklahoma Blood Institute records indicate that Tatarian has given blood 47 times.
Tatarian was one of 906 participants in the 10-hour blood drives held at four Bob Moore Auto Group dealerships. She works at Integris Health. Tatarian and her husband have two sons and a daughter.
This marks the seventh year Bob Moore Auto Group has sponsored such an event. Seven hundred thirty four people were eligible to give that Saturday. Through this event alone, some 2,422 Oklahomans who are in critical need of blood will receive it through the remainder of the summer.
Saturday, five finalists randomly chosen from event participants gathered, knowing one would win the new Subaru Forester. Each tried a selected key in the Forester. Tatarian had the lucky key.
“I’m just so surprised to win, but it’s great because my daughter is turning 16 soon,” Tatarian said. She quickly clarified that her daughter might be able to use her mom’s current car, not the new Forester. “I’ll be driving that,” she said.
“August is a particularly concerning time for us,” John Armitage, M.D., CEO and president of Oklahoma Blood Institute said. “Many people are going on vacations and out of normal routines. This year, we were concerned that the extreme heat might hinder people from donating.
“This strong turnout of blood donors at Bob Moore dealerships Saturday proved that those in our communities understand that people across Oklahoma continue to need blood no matter how high the temperatures soar,” Armitage said. “The Bob Moore dealerships graciously made plenty of air-conditioned space available to the crowds of donors who came. Their team’s sense of commitment to our local blood supply is terrific.”
Healthy adults, 16 and older*, are encouraged to donate blood every 56 days. Every drop of blood needed by patients in some 135 Oklahoma medical facilities is provided by Oklahoma Blood Institute. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America, employs nearly 700 Oklahomans and works with an estimated 1,000 volunteers and 2,600 drive coordinators.
Schedule an appointment to donate blood today!
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Community partner, Bob Moore, applauds long time blood donor and car winner, Terry Tartarian. Read more. See video.