At this Oklahoma blood drive, donors could win $500 in beef for ‘beefing up’ supply

Giving blood ahead of Labor Day weekend could land you $500 in beef courtesy of the Oklahoma Beef Council.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept.1, blood donors will receive OBI’s annual spooky t-shirt and all-beef hot dogs as the Oklahoma Blood Institute teams up with the Oklahoma Beef Council in an attempt to “beef up” the blood supply. Those who give blood will also be entered to win $500 in beef from Callison Ranch Beef.

The promotion is valid at all nine Oklahoma Blood Institute donor centers statewide including four in the Oklahoma City metro:

• Central OKC, 901 N Lincoln Blvd.
• North OKC, 5105 N Portland Ave.
• Edmond, 3409 S Broadway, Suite 300
• Norman, 1004 24^th Ave. NW, Suite 101
• Ada, Ardmore, Enid, Lawton and Tulsa (addresses on obi.org)

“Oklahoma’s beef farmers and ranchers care about Oklahomans and are excited to continue this 20-year partnership with the Oklahoma Blood Institute,” said Heather Buckmaster, OBC Executive Director. “We hope everyone takes a moment before their Labor Day activities to help us Beef Up the Blood Supply.”

In general, fewer people make time to donate blood around holiday weekends, according to the Oklahoma Blood Institute. Anyone who is healthy and age 16 or older can give blood. However, of those eligible to donate blood in the U.S., less than 10 percent actually donate each year. Each blood donation can save the lives of up to three Oklahomans.

Sixteen-year-olds looking to give blood must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission, while 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and those 18 and older must weigh at least 110 pounds.

“Although we have fun with this event, saving the lives of our family, friends and neighbors is a serious matter,” said Dr. John Armitage, President and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “We are grateful for Oklahoma Beef Council for helping us to encourage donors to take time before Labor Day Weekend to help us prepare for any emergency that may occur.”

Blood donated through the Oklahoma Blood Institute is the sole source used by 160 hospitals and medical facilities statewide, as well as all air ambulances in Oklahoma.  For more information or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit obi.org or call 877-340-8777.