releases: https://horn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=277
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://horn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=277 | Rep. Horn Donates Blood with Oklahoma Blood Institute at Oklahoma City VA | 2020-06-05 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Democrat | House | OK | Kendra Horn | H001083 | horn.house.gov | legacy | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is partnering with the blood community, including the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI), to host blood drives at VA facilities that will help fight the blood shortage caused by the COVID-19 crisis. On Friday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn (OK-5) donated blood with OBI at the Oklahoma City VA. Oklahoma Blood Institute has an immediate need for eligible blood donors following numerous blood drive cancellations. "Our state is critically low on blood donations as a result of the pandemic, said Congresswoman Horn. Donating blood is an easy way show up for our neighbors. As our state continues to reopen, our hospitals and healthcare providers will need more lifesaving donations. Thank you to the VA, our veterans, and the Oklahoma Blood Institute for leading the Roll Up Your Sleeves campaign to give back during the COVID-19 crisis. If you're able, please make an appointment to donate blood." During April and May, two out of three mobile blood drives were canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, and less than half of the typical number of donors are attending scheduled drives. Seventy percent of Oklahoma Blood Institute's blood supply comes from blood drives held in the community. We are so grateful to Congresswoman Horn for supporting patients in Oklahoma and for encouraging constituents to do the same, said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. We must ensure a robust blood supply as summer approaches and hospitals perform more surgeries, critical treatments, and procedures. Oklahoma Blood Institute provides lifesaving blood products to VA hospitals and facilities in our state, and we proudly support our veterans and military. Healthy adults age 16 and up are urged to give blood, and appointments are recommended to allow for recommended social distancing. 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. All phlebotomy staff wear masks. Staff members and donors will also have their temperatures taken before starting work or entering the facility. Oklahoma Blood Institute is following recommendations and guidelines set forth by the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks). Oklahoma Blood Institute is committed to maintaining the safest standards for blood collection, testing and transfusion. Blood donors like Congresswoman Horn represent the Oklahoma Standard-- providing hope, healing, and comfort to communities recovering in crisis, said Armitage. Oklahoma Blood Institute supports the inventory for patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide. 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. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |