The Oklahoma Pork Council and Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) teamed up the week before Memorial Day to host one of OBI’s largest blood drives of the year.
In addition to nine participating donation centers throughout the state, mobile donation trailers were strategically placed in the Holdenville and Hennessey areas to allow two key pork producing communities to get involved.
In total there were 1,068 donations in OBI centers and 39 donations in mobile centers, collectively saving 3,300 lives across Oklahoma!
OBI considers the week leading up to Memorial Day one of the most critical times each year to restock the state’s blood bank in preparation for the unfortunate accidents that happen over the weekend.
The start to summer tragically leads to an increased need for blood each year as outdoor activities and travel commence. This elevated need continues through August according to blood bank officials.
To help meet this timely demand and save lives, the Oklahoma Pork Council sponsors the Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive with OBI each May.
During the first day of this year’s Oklahoma Pork blood drive many familiar faces could be seen in the donation chair including Secretary of Agriculture Blaine Arthur, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture JanLee Rowlett, Oklahoma Pork board member Brett Ramsey and brother Greg Ramsey of Blue & Gold Sausage Co.
“I was encouraged to make my first blood donation as part of the Oklahoma Pork Council’s annual Pre-Memorial Day Blood Drive and have become a regular donor since then,” said Deputy Commissioner Rowlett. “I appreciate Oklahoma pork producers for their work in taking care of people–by producing pork, donating blood, and in countless other ways they lead and give back to their communities.”
Thanks to the generosity of pork producers, donors across the state who participated in Oklahoma Pork’s beloved annual drive received a free pulled pork lunch, a free “Body by Bacon” shirt, and free tickets to an Oklahoma City attraction of their choice.
2023 marks the 17th year OBI and the Oklahoma Pork Council have teamed up to save lives during the impactful two-day event.
Thank you to the more than 1,000 donors who helped make this drive a success. Pork producers take great pride in this longstanding partnership to help Oklahomans in need.
For more information visit https://www.okpork.org/obi.
