Northeastern State University and Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) are partnering for a blood drive Wednesday, November 18, to help save the lives in area hospitals. The event will run from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the Broken Arrow campus.

Each donor will receive a ‘HERO’ T-shirt in recognition of the selfless act of giving. One blood donation can save as many as three lives. Yet, it typically takes only an hour to give blood, this brief act of community service can make a major, life-saving difference.

Oklahoma Blood Institute is the state’s local nonprofit blood center. Thanks to volunteer blood donors who make giving a priority, every patient in 150 hospitals has the right blood at the right time.

People 16 years and older* are usually able to give. Blood donors also receive free health screenings and Donor Rewards Points, redeemable for gift cards and merchandise in OBI’s online store.

If donors prefer, they can forgo the T-shirts to support the Global Blood Fund. Oklahoma Blood Institute will redirect funds for the shirts to this charity assisting blood centers in developing countries. In these countries, safe blood is not available, and thousands of women and children die without it each year.

Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org.

* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds