Published: July 05, 2009 09:32 pm         

5 blood drives this week

There will be several blood drives in Enid this week.

All donors will receive two tickets to the Oklahoma City Zoo and a free T-shirt, along with free health screenings and Members for Life points to redeem at OBI’s online store. All donors will have the opportunity to forgo receiving a donor T-shirt in favor of Oklahoma Blood Institute making a financial contribution of similar value to American Cancer Society.

• Jacksons of Enid Chrysler Dodge, 4405 W. Garriott, will host a blood drive 1-5 p.m. today. To make an appointment to donate in the Jacksons of Enid blood drive, call Randy Scott at 234-5400.

• Northcutt Chevrolet, 3201 W. Garriott, will host a blood drive noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday. To make an appointment to donate in the Northcutt Chevrolet blood drive, call Alice Evers at 234-5171.

• Enid YMCA, 415 W. Cherokee, will host a blood drive 3-6 p.m. Wednesday. To make an appointment to donate in the YMCA blood drive, call Tammy at 237-4645.

• Ward Petroleum, 502 S Filmore, will host a blood drive 1-4 p.m. Thursday. To make an appointment to donate in the Ward Petroleum blood drive, call Lynn Combs at 234-3229, ext. 252.

• Vance Air Force Base will host a base-wide blood drive 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at CCAC-Building 528.

All healthy, Enid-area residents, age 17 and older, are encouraged to participate in one of the blood drives.

“Less than 10 percent of the eligible population actually donates,” said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and chief executive. “That percentage drops during the summer months as many Oklahomans are away on vacation or busy with other summer activities. That is why the need is greater now more than ever.”

 Those unable to participate in any of the blood drives may donate blood at Northwest Oklahoma Blood Institute, 301 E Cherokee. For information, call 233-9323.

Donations can be made every 56 days, and OBI provides every drop of blood used by Integris Bass Baptist Health Center and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center as well as most other hospitals statewide.