Blood donors who save lives before Labor Day will enjoy a hotdog picnic at Our Blood Institute’s donor centers statewide! This year’s Pre-Labor Day blood drive is a two-day event.
On Thursday, August 29 and Friday, August 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., donors will receive and OBI t-shirt and an all-beef hot dog compliments of the Oklahoma Beef Council as it teams up with Our Blood Institute to “Beef Up” the blood supply for the Labor Day weekend. All blood donors on these days will be entered to win a $250 restaurant gift card.
Our Blood Institute has nine 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 24th Ave., N.W., 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 long-term partnership with Our 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. “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.”
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 ten percent actually donate each year. Each blood donation can save the lives of up to 3 Oklahomans.
Our Blood Institute provides every drop of blood 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.
*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. Vouchers must be redeemed online at yourbloodinstitue.org
About the Beef Checkoff
The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents of the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
About the Oklahoma Beef Council
The Oklahoma Beef Council is a non-profit led by beef farmer and rancher volunteers serving Oklahoma’s 50,000 farming and ranching families through the Beef Checkoff, a federal commodity program. Its vision is to be a positive difference for Oklahoma farming and ranching families and the greater beef community through serving its mission to enhance beef demand by strengthening consumer trust and exceeding consumer expectations.
