Community leaders invite public to donate life-saving blood and plasma

State senator Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, and community leader Jose Cruz are joining the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) in hosting a blood drive in southwest Oklahoma City on Thursday, September 10. 

“Due to the health pandemic, blood supplies have been drastically decreased and need to be restored to help meet demands in our hospitals and other health care facilities,” Brooks said. “We want to urge our neighbors in south Oklahoma City in joining us to help our fellow Oklahomans by donating life-saving blood and plasma.”

According to the OBI, the state needs 1,200 donations per day to maintain a strong blood supply.  

The blood drive will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Michael Brooks-Jimenez, PC at 5708 S. Western Avenue. The OBI Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot and donors will receive free COVID-10 antibody testing. Appointments must be made.

“South Oklahoma City has been hit hard by COVID-19, and we want the community to have the opportunity to donate blood but also to get tested for the antibodies,” Cruz said.  “Our community is filled with kind, generous people and we know that they will want to help their fellow Oklahomans during this difficult time.”

Bilingual OBI staff will be at the event to assist donors. The OBI utilizes social distancing and the highest sanitation procedures.  Temperatures will be taken outside the donation area and masks are required.  Health screening questions can be completed online at www.obi.org prior to arrival.

-END-

For more information, contact:  Sen. Brooks: (405) 521-5522 or Michael.Brooks@oksenate.gov