OCCC’s Student Life will be sponsoring an Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and Thursday, Feb. 16 in the College Union’s general dining area.

First Year Experience and Student Life Programs Coordinator Amy Reynolds said they are on a regular schedule.

“We usually do two a semester and one during the summer,” Reynolds said.

“So, we’ll have one in April, as well.”

Potential donors will receive free health screenings that will inform them as to whether or not they are eligible to donate blood. However, a photo I.D. is required to do so.

In the past, there have typically been about 40 donors per day.

“It’s a very substantial amount,” Reynolds said.

“I met with an OBI representative a few days ago, and she said we’re one of the most consistent organizations that they work with, so our students do a really great job of being a part of the blood drive.”

OBI distributes the blood they collect among many different local hospitals, but Reynolds said that distribution isn’t limited to only Oklahoma.

“She [the OBI representative] said that they are actually helping out in other states, as well,” Reynolds said.

“Because Oklahomans are so great at donating, they sometimes have extra blood that they can donate to some of the bordering states, too.”

For prior step-by-step instructions, general donor qualifications, blood types and other further information, visit www.obi.org.

To contact Nadia Enchassi, email onlinewriter@occc.edu.