Alva Review-Courier -

Oklahoma Blood Institute needs donors to help rebuild the blood supply in response to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis and is urging healthy adults to take some time to save lives this summer. Individuals ages 16 and up are urged to give blood at one of these locations:

• Atwoods of Alva, 1600 E. Oklahoma Blvd., Monday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Radio Shack Alva, 609 College Ave., Monday, July 20, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Donors will receive a free summer camper T-shirt and their choice of one free entry voucher to Frontier City or Science Museum Oklahoma, or two free entries to Safari Joe’s H2O Water Park, to be redeemed at yourbloodinstitute.org.

Free COVID-19 antibody screening will be offered to donors 18 and older. Masks are required for all donors and will be provided if needed.

Oklahoma Blood Institute’s donor centers and mobile blood drives have instituted additional cleaning methods, decontaminating work and common areas and equipment frequently. In addition, donor centers and mobile blood drives have been adapted to allow for social distancing. Staff members and donors will also have their temperatures taken before starting work or entering the facility.

Blood drives will be managed according to CDC safety recommendations. Oklahoma Blood Institute is committed to maintaining the safest standards for blood collection, testing and transfusion.

Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org. More information on Oklahoma Blood Institute can be found at obi.org.