There is going to be a blood drive at Duncan Middle School on January 9th from 9:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. An appointment is not required to donate. If you want to donate, you must be 16 years old or older. Jacklyn Chappell is the Public Relations Manager for Our Blood Institute. OBI is the only local not-for-profit blood provider and the sole provider of blood to almost 90% of hospitals in Oklahoma. Chappell says there are also weight requirements. If you are 16 you must be at least 145 pounds, if you are 17 you must be at least 125 pounds, and if you are 18 you must be at least 110 pounds.
Chappell says that there are many drives across the state and that the DMS drive is mobile. Other locations can be found on their website. All you have to do is put in your information and it will pull up the nearest locations.
She said, “Many people donate because they want to do something good for their community.” She went on to say, “Even a single donation is important because blood cannot be made in the lab, it has to be donated.”
She says that the process is simple even for a first-time donor. You could make an appointment or walk in. They will ask you a list of questions and prick your finger to test your blood. She says the quickest part is sitting in the chair and donating your blood.
She says that she recommends people donate their blood to save lives. She also says that she hopes they can get people in for the New Year, maybe even having their New Year’s Resolution to donate their blood. Chappell said, “It only takes an hour of your time to give someone else the rest of their life.”
