July 31, 2026 ─ Blood donors can do more than save lives this August. They can also help local students head back to school.
From August 1 through August 15, every successful blood donation made using promo code SCHOOL26 will generate a $20 contribution through Our Blood Institute's Donable Cares program to support nonprofit partners working to provide back-to-school resources for students and families throughout the communities OBI serves. A list of the nonprofits your donation could support can be found at obi.org/events/back-to-school/
As a thank you for donating, successful blood donors through August 22 will also receive exclusive Dog Days of Summer gifts, including a limited-edition T-shirt featuring OBI's BloodHounds Therapy Dogs, a BloodHounds dog bandana for their own four-legged companion and a free ticket to Frontier City, Hurricane Harbor or Magic Springs Theme and Water Park.
Summer is one of the most challenging times of year for the blood supply. Vacations, changing schedules and the start of a new school year often lead to fewer donations, even though the need for blood never takes time off.
OBI is currently experiencing an urgent need for O-negative blood donors. O-negative is the universal blood type used in emergencies when there isn't time to determine a patient's blood type. A strong supply of O-negative blood helps ensure hospitals are prepared to treat trauma patients and others facing life-threatening emergencies.
A major U.S. blood provider is now limiting Type O blood distributions to the hospitals it serves because of the severity of the national blood shortage. Our Blood Institute has never had to ration blood to our hospital partners, and we do not want to reach that point. We are asking donors to respond now so our hospitals can continue receiving the blood they need, when they need it, without having to make difficult decisions about which patients receive available blood.
"Whether it's helping a patient in the hospital or helping a student start the school year with the supplies they need, one blood donation can make a meaningful difference," said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Our Blood Institute. "We hope our communities will roll up their sleeves this August and help us make an even greater impact."
Blood donation takes about an hour, but the impact can last a lifetime. Just one donation can help save up to three lives.
Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. Walk-ins are also welcome.
*16-year-olds 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. Photo ID required.
###
Our Blood Institute is the seventh-largest independent blood center in the nation, with 17 donor centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. OBI is the nonprofit blood provider for patients at more than 240 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances across all three states.
