The Oklahoma Blood Institute is holding a blood drive to benefit a Tulsa teen undergoing treatment for leukemia.
OBI officials say all healthy individuals, ages 16 and older, are encouraged to give blood at a community blood drive to benefit 14-year-old Holly Benningfield who was recently diagnosed with leukemia and receives treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in Tulsa. Donors who are 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.
The Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive to benefit Holly is being hosted August 19, 4 to 8 pm at South Tulsa Baptist Church on the east side of the church’s gym in Classrooms D166, D167 and D168, 10310 S Sheridan Rd, in Tulsa.
Blood donations will help support Oklahoma patients including patients such as Holly. Blood donation credits from this drive will be offered to her family to help defer the cost of blood used.
Donors will receive two tickets to the Tulsa Zoo, an OBI “Feel Wild” summer T-shirt and Donor Rewards points.
Donors who wish to support Children’s Miracle Network hospitals - locally, through The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis - can forgo the “Feel Wild” T-shirt and, in turn, OBI will make a monetary donation of similar value to The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. It’s a chance to doubly-give to Oklahoma children battling critical health conditions – through the life-saving gift of blood and also through support for pediatric medical research, community outreach and treatment initiatives.
“There are children who will need blood in the coming weeks as a result of life-threatening health issues,” said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. “They are counting on you to give. The need for blood impacts all ages, often unexpectedly as a result of accident or illness.”
Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America, providing every drop of blood needed by patients in 144 medical facilities across Oklahoma, including The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.
During summer months, it is especially important to increase fluid intake the entire day before giving blood and to eat a complete meal within six hours of donating. Plenty of air-conditioned comfort in an indoor setting is required at all blood drives.
For more information or to make an appointment to donate, contact Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visit us at
www.obi.org.
