While the pandemic has left the country with a shortage of personal protective equipment and ventilators, it has also resulted in a depleted supply of blood.

With the need for blood at an all-time high, State Sen. Joe Newhouse, R-Tulsa, has partnered with the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) to host mobile blood drives to combat this shortage:

• April 22: Cedar Ridge Christian Church on 101st and Olive in Broken Arrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• May 6: Lowe’s on 111th and Memorial in Bixby from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Although COVID-19 is front and center for our health care systems, there is still a dire need for blood for many other patients,” Newhouse said. “OBI supplies blood to more than 90 percent of the hospitals in our state, including all of the children’s and veterans hospitals.”

To follow current CDC guidelines, each blood drive will take place at a mobile unit with scheduled appointments to reduce social contact for donors. Appointment time slots, sign-ups and donor information can be found at www.obi.org. Drive-ups are also welcome.