Oklahoma rancher leads charge to beef up the blood supply

For many years, Oklahoma Beef Council has partnered with Our Blood Institute to reward anyone who donates blood before the Labor Day weekend. This year’s blood drive happened on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Over that two-day timeframe 1,236 people donated blood, saving 3,708 lives.

One of the donors was Erick Chandler, longtime member of a ranching family from Ninnekah, Oklahoma. In October 2019, Chandler needed blood after a horse accident caused severe damage to his femoral artery. On the medi-flight from the ranch to Oklahoma City, Chandler received 5 units of blood. If those units would not have been available, he would not have even made it to a hospital that could repair his injury. Over the course of his recovery, Chandler received 23 units of blood.

It ultimately took seven surgeries and one year for Chandler to fully recovered. As soon as he was cleared to do so, Chandler began donating blood through Our Blood Institute in Lawton. He has now donated more than 20 times.

“If there had not been blood available, I would not be alive today,” said Chandler. “The responsibly to give back weighs heavily on me and I want to know that others will have access to blood when they need it.”

During the Beef Up the Blood Supply drive, donors received an all-beef hotdog, chips and the new OBI vein-drain t-shirt. Each donor was also entered to win $500 in beef.

It takes many donors like Chandler to help OBI meet the need. That’s why OBC values this yearly partnership.

“It was exciting to hear that we had helped OBI surpass their goal for the lead up to Labor Day with our blood drive,” said Heather Buckmaster, OBI executive director. “Thank you to everyone who donated.”