Sooner Mall to host blood drive; donors needed
Melodie Lettkeman/The Daily
Chrissy Harris gives blood during an OU athletics blood drive.
A blood drive will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Sooner Mall.
The blood drive is necessary during this time of year due to cold and flu-like illnesses going around, said Leslie Gamble, community relations director of the Oklahoma Blood Institute.
“In addition to that, you cannot donate if you are unwell,” Gamble said. “That means there are more sick people in hospitals and less healthy people to donate.”
All blood types are encouraged to donate blood, according to the Oklahoma Blood Institute press release dated Jan. 29. Those with O-negative blood are especially encouraged to donate blood at this time. O-negative blood can be given to anyone of any blood type. Only 9 percent of the population has this blood type, according to the American Association of Blood Banks website.
The Oklahoma Blood Institute has a constant need for blood donations. To fill the needs of patients in hospitals every day, there have to be 700 donors every day, Gamble said. The blood donated at any blood drive is only viable for 56 days, and then it must be disposed of, she said.
The blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sooner Mall, located at 3301 W. Main St.
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