Scott Barton of Altus was the grand prize winner of a $1,500 gift card sponsored by Jackson County Memorial Hospital and drawn at the Oklahoma Blood Institute community blood drive at the Altus Community Center in January this week.

His name was announced during the Battle of the Media, the OBI kick-off for 2008.

According to Meredith Thomas, Blood Program Consultant for OBI, "It is so important for people to continue to donate blood. The need for blood never goes away."

Thomas said blood drives are scheduled for each month throughout the year at the Altus Community Center and every other month at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Other drives are scheduled at various locations throughout Altus and the surrounding communities.

Jackson County Memorial Hospital sponsors prizes to encourage people to donate. Prizes are awarded each month for the community and hospital blood drives.

First-time blood donors are also entered into a quarterly prize drawing. "New donors are needed as well as established donors," stated Thomas. OBI is the sole provider of blood products for Jackson County Memorial Hospital and all other hospitals in southwest Oklahoma.

The next blood drive at Jackson County Memorial Hospital is set for 6:30 a.m to 5 p.m., Jan. 17, and the next community blood drive is scheduled for 12 to 6 p.m., Feb. 5, at the Altus Community Center. People age 17 and older who are in good health are encouraged to become blood donors.