The “Battle of the Badges” blood drive is scheduled for this Friday, April 30 from 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. at the Seminole Fire Department.

Donors who “rise up and give” will receive a t-shirt and one free adult admission to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Individuals ages 16 and up are urged to give blood.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put incredible strains on the blood supply,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “Whether they’re fighting cancer or a blood disorder, or overcoming trauma, patients in our community hospitals depend on blood every day. Patients are the reason we’re asking anyone and everyone who is able to donate blood or plasma to ‘rise up and give’ as often as they can.”

To schedule an appointment, contact the Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340- 8777 and use group code W983. If you have recovered from COVID-19, you may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma at this drive. Email coviddonor@obi.org to make a plasma appointment. Additionally, all donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies to identify potential plasma donors.

Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Sixteen year old donors must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. A photo ID is required. OBI Blood drives are managed according to CDC safety recommendations.