Agricultural News
Oklahoma Pork Council teams up with Oklahoma Blood Institute for annual blood drive
Mon, 23 May 2011 14:12:11 CDT
Many people assume that if they are in the hospital and need blood, it will be available. However, the need for blood is great and sometimes the supplies get tight. This is especially true during the summer holidays when people are traveling and don't have time to donate and the need increases because of more accidents.
The Oklahoma Pork Council teams up with OBI each year to host a blood drive. When asked why the Oklahoma Pork Council wanted to team up with OBI, Brooke Clay, Oklahoma Pork Council Director of Promotions, said, "Oklahoma pork producers love to give back to their community and this is a way for producers across the state to give back to the whole state and not just in one specific region."
During the drive each person who donates at any OBI donation center across the state will receive a pulled pork sandwich and squeezable pig. This year the blood drive will take place May 26 and 27, just before the Memorial Day weekend. Also, people that donate during the drive can register to win a backyard barbecue for up to 40 people.
"About three gallons of blood is required to support the entire nation's blood need for just one minute," said Andrea Heister, Oklahoma Blood Institute Community Relations - Events Manager. "Since there is no substitute for human blood and supplies must be constantly renewed, the need for donation is great."
The 2010 OPC/OBI Blood Drive increased daily blood donations by 225 percent, with a total of 1,527 donations during the two-day event.
"We really appreciate Oklahoma's pork producers sponsoring this event to help us kickoff our summer season with a great supply of blood," said Heister. "We are looking forward to another great turnout for our OPC Memorial Day blood drive."
To learn more and find an OBI donor center near you, click here.
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