Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) encourages all Altus- area residents to donate blood from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Altus Community Center, 401 Falcon Rd.

All blood donors will receive a warm beanie cap, along with free health screenings and Members for Life points to redeem at OBI’s online store.

“Anyone who is 17 and older can donate,” said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. “If every blood donor would donate blood just one more time a year, there would never be a shortage of blood.”

Since there’s no substitute for blood, the supply must constantly be renewed. Although all blood types are needed, those with O Negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. . According to American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), those with O Negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population; however, O Negative blood can be used by anyone in emergency need when a patient’s blood type has not yet been identified.

Oklahoma Blood Institute provides blood for patients in more than 150 medical facilities in Oklahoma and north central Texas.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, contact Oklahoma Blood Institute at (877) 340-8777. Donors always receive free health screenings and Members for Life points, redeemable for merchandise from OBI’s online store.