Our Blood Institute Celebrates Veterans Day with Special Gifts for Blood Donors

November 7, 2023 ─ This Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023, Our Blood Institute invites the public to celebrate our nation’s veterans, active service members and their families by making a lifesaving donation at any OBI donor center.

To commemorate the occasion, in addition to a free Grinch-themed T-shirt, veteran blood donors will receive an American flag lapel pin.

As a bonus, now through January 12, blood donors can earn DOUBLE Donor Store points by downloading the new OBI mobile app and scheduling and keeping their donation appointment! *Double points valid only on appointments scheduled through the OBI mobile app and applicable to base points. Appointments must be completed by January 12, 2024 to qualify. Donor store will be open through January 2024 to redeem points.

Our Blood Institute donor centers will also be offering information about the American Legion’s Be the One program created to destigmatize asking for mental health support and provide peer-to-peer support and resources.

“Our dedicated volunteer donors – many of whom are veterans of war and active military members – know the importance of giving blood regularly,” said Dr. John Armitage, president & CEO of Our Blood Institute. “Our veterans and active service members have committed their lives to service, and we are proud to honor that service and sacrifice today.”

Our Blood Institute would like to thank our nation’s heroes who continue to serve our country. Veteran Aaron Hawley, an Our Blood Institute blood recipient, was recently featured in a “This Life Brought to You by Blood Donors” video sharing his story of battling leukemia as a child. Click here to hear his story told by his family.

Military installations in Oklahoma, including Tinker AFB, Vance AFB, Altus AFB, and Fort Sill, and National Guard bases, also help ensure an adequate blood supply for hospitals in the region by hosting regular blood drives.

Our Blood Institute is committed to providing life-saving blood necessary to treat our nation’s veterans and active service members. Our Blood Institute proudly supplies blood products to VA medical centers in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. OBI also fulfills orders for four branches of the U.S. military at several installations nationwide.

Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. Walk-ins are welcome.

*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. Photo ID required.

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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 and medical facilities.