OBI Prepares For Large-Scale Blood Drives Amid Nationwide Shortage

The Oklahoma Blood Institute said we’re in the middle of a national blood shortage.

Emma Meyer, a Senior Account Manager with OBI, told News 9 they always struggle after the holidays. Add on the pandemic and it’s taking them twice as long to restore their blood bank.

“We’re experiencing an emergency blood shortage after the holiday and low collections with increased blood usage in hospitals,” said Meyer. 

So far, they’ve been able to hang on, but things are getting harder as days go by.

“People are getting those surgeries again that they put off during the pandemic, which is wonderful, so we’ve got to make sure that the blood is on the shelves for them,” said Meyer.

She said as people experience life post-pandemic they are not as eager to donate blood.

“People have had a lot asked of them over the last year and people are tired, and they just want to do things for themselves,” said Meyer.

Meyer said it only takes 45 minutes to donate and it could mean the world to someone in need.

“Come to a mobile drive, come to one of our donor centers and give the gift of life,” she said.

Donated blood goes to local hospitals first and then other hospitals in need around the nation.

The next blood drive will be on Saturday July 10 at Taft Stadium from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“Donors who come will get a pork sandwich from Oklahoma Pork Council, they will get an Energy t-shirt and a ticket to tomorrow’s game against the Indy 11,” she said.

Donors can either schedule an appointment ahead of time on the OBI website or show up the day of the drive.