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FALL‘12
FEEL AWESOME. GIVE BLOOD.
September - November ‘12
Score big by saving lives through your blood donation.
Each Oklahoma donor receives an OU or OSU Bedlam T-shirt and a chance to
win a pair of Bedlam football game tickets. Donate before November 18, to
be eligible for the tickets. Shirts are available through the end of November.
Each donor who gives with
Arkansas Blood Institute or
Texas Blood Institute this fall
will receive a “Feel Awesome”
T-shirt.
Record-Breaking Event is a Win for All!
The most successful Bob Moore Auto Group car giveaway event ever couldn’t have been better for Jonathan Johnson,
Norman. A loyal blood donor who had given at previous Bob Mooresponsored blood drives, he was the lucky donor to win a 2012 Nissan
Juke.
Some 1,181 people came to give at four dealerships on August 11.
Through this event alone, some 2,907 people in critical need of
blood received it in the weeks that followed. Two men and three
women, ranging from 18 to 72 years of age, were randomly selected
as finalists for a chance to start the car and drive it away.
This year, the staff at Bob Moore had a personal connection to the
need for blood donation that sparked their enthusiasm. The 12-yearJonathan Johnson, Norman, is ready to hit the road in his
old son of one of its managers used more than 50 units of blood to
2012 Nissan Juke, courtesy of Bob Moore Auto Group.
help him stay alive while awaiting a successful liver transplant in July.
www.obi.org
FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.
www.txbi.org
www.arkbi.org
FALL ‘12
M*A*S*H* A SMASH
Arkansas Blood Institute’s annual M*A*S*H* Bash events
in Hot Springs and Fort Smith were a smashing success.
More than 500 donors received commemorative 29th
annual event T-shirts, burgers and hot dogs.
“Our staff always
enjoys M*A*S*H*
Bash, and we
appreciate our
donors and
sponsors who
help make the
day fun and
rewarding,” said
Employees (l to r): Allen Rogers, Dean
Del Holloway,
Arndt, Brandy Jones, Sara Nash, Shannon executive director.
Elmore, Rebecca Crouch, Chastidy Jones,
Kris Wein and Cindy Johnson.
Transfusion Specialist
Added
Walter E. Kelley, D.O., joined the
Blood Institute as its medical
director in July. Dr. Kelley leads
the clinical operations along with
Chief Medical Officer, James
Smith, M.D., Patti Latschar, P.A.
and John Armitage, M.D. who
assist in these efforts.
Walter Kelley, D.O., new
Previously, Dr. Kelley served
medical director.
two years in the Public Health
Service at the Clinical Center
of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He
is board certified in clinical pathology and transfusion
medicine. He is a noted speaker and author on blood
banking topics.
17 Years Ago...
As Railee Creech joined thousands of other students
heading off to college for the first time this fall, her
family couldn’t help but reflect on the miracle of blood
donation that allowed them to enjoy this season of life.
Both Railee and her mother Holly faced near tragedy in
1995.
Holly, who had already lost babies prematurely, became
critically ill months before Railee’s due date. Doctors
decided to deliver
Railee and told Holly
and her husband
Robert that there
was less than a five
percent chance of the
baby’s survival.
Railee was born
weighing only one
pound.
Meanwhile, Holly lay
in the Intensive Care
Unit, fighting for her
life. Due to a critical
blood disorder,
known as thrombotic
Robert Creech with newborn
thrombocytopenic
daughter Railee shortly after her
purpura (TTP), she
dramatic birth.
required blood. With
the help of innovative therapeutic blood treatments that
PULSE — PAGE 2 — FALL ’12
had just become available through the Blood Institute,
and 300 plus donors, Holly survived.
(L to R): Robert, Railee, Ashlee and Holly Creech.
In the months that followed, Railee had delicate heart
surgery and struggled to grow. “She was the smallest
baby the hospital had ever cared for, and she, too,
received blood donations,” said Robert.
Though neither mom nor baby were expected to live,
both are alive and well today thanks to faithful donors.
Railee graduated from Norman High School in May, and
is now a freshman at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Because computerized donor records didn’t exist at
the time of Railee’s birth, it is impossible to individually
thank the donors whose blood saved Holly and Railee.
But at each milestone in Railee’s life, her parents reflect
on those who provided the opportunity for their miracle.
That year was one the Creech family will never forget.
And having endured it, they have dearly treasured the
subsequent 17.
FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.
Staying Busy
Colleen Smith, Moore, has never had a problem staying
busy since she retired from OPUBCO five years ago.
She has plenty of interests and shows no sign of slowing
down. At the Blood Institute, she’s found a variety of ways
to make a difference with her skills and personality.
Partnering To Touch
More Lives
After a five-month partnership, the Blood Institute
recently presented the American Heart Association
(AHA) with a gift of $25,012.
Colleen enthusiastically welcomes blood donors, helps
them feel comfortable and keeps things moving for a
positive experience. She has volunteered at blood drives
in locations all around the Oklahoma City metro area.
She enjoys meeting people in a very busy environment.
“I have donated blood since 1995, and I know that a
good first impression can make a major difference at
community
blood
drives,”
Colleen
said.
“Giving
blood is
something
simple that
people can
do to help
others,
so I want
them to feel
Volunteer Colleen Smith, Moore,
valued for
presents a donor with an appreciation
what they
are doing.”
Colleen particularly likes the organization’s mission and
community involvement. “I can contribute my ideas
and work with others toward a common goal,” Colleen
added. In addition to serving at blood drives and
marrow registration events, she meticulously organizes
the volunteer calendar and serves as a blood drive
coordinator at the church she attends.
Dr. John Armitage presents a check to the board of
directors, AHA local affiliate.
Blood donors were given the opportunity to either
receive a T-shirt or forgo the incentive in favor of the
blood center making a monetary contribution of similar
value to the American Heart Association. More than
10,000 donors opted for the contribution to the AHA.
Funds will be used for AHA’s focus on raising awareness
of vital heart-health measures, including cholesterol and
blood pressure.
Now through October 31,
choose to forgo your donor
appreciation item, and funds
will be redirected to our current
partner organizations, Children’s
Hospital Foundation, Oklahoma
City; The Children’s Hospital
at Saint Francis, Tulsa; United
Regional, Wichita Falls; and
Arkansas Children’s Hospital,
Little Rock.
Collectively, our volunteers give more than 30,000 hours
annually in a variety of fulfilling roles and also contribute a
positive spirit that’s unsurpassed.
More volunteers are needed. Flexible times and a variety
of medically-related and administrative roles are available.
Anyone 16 or older can inquire about volunteering.
For more information, complete the application
found in the “Volunteer” link on the Blood Institute’s
website, or contact Stephanie Huston at
(918) 704-1597 or shuston@obi.org.
PULSE — PAGE 3 — FALL ’12 In the same manner beginning November 1,
donors can make a global
difference. Donors will have
the opportunity to support
the Global Blood Fund (GBF),
an international blood center
development charity.
FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.
Oklahoma Blood Institute
1001 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #527
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
“Summer of Stunts” Saves Thousands of Lives
Each time a goal
was achieved, Alan
performed a stunt in
celebration. The much
anticipated stunts
included:
With summer schedule changes, inevitably, blood
donations decline. But this summer, KOFM Radio DJ
Alan Clepper, Enid, made it his mission to defy that
trend.
Alan initiated a “Summer of Stunts, SOS,” promotion to
encourage those in northwest Oklahoma to give. Alan
promised KOFM listeners he would perform a crazy
stunt each time a donation goal was reached.
For one stunt, KOFM Radio’s
Alan Clepper, left, dressed up and
skated as a roller derby girl during
half-time of an Enid Roller Girls’
game.
• attempting to eat an
(L to R): Michael Flach, owner
entire family-sized
of Enid’s Papa Murphy’s
stuffed pizza from
Pizza®, with Christy Linderman,
Papa Murphy’s;
the lucky donor who won a
• allowing himself to
Kindle Fire®, courtesy of Papa
become “test bait”
Murphy’s.
during guard dog
exercises at Vance Air Force Base; and
• running the bases at David Allen Memorial
Ballpark - with live crawdads in his pants!
“We set some
extreme donation
goals and our local
blood donors came
through,” said
Kenda Burnham,
Enid sub-center
director. “For
instance, in May,
our goal was 1,725
donors. By the end
of that month, well
over 2,000 donors
had given.”
“Our local Papa Murphy’s® joined in to make the
promotion even more enticing,” said Kenda. “They
donated a free
KOFM Radio’s
pizza coupon
Alan Clepper
for each donor.
congratulates
They also
donor Janna
sponsored a
Pelletier, winner of
drawing that
Carrie Underwood
gave a Kindle
concert tickets,
Fire® and
courtesy of KOFM.
a-freepizza-a-week for a year to two lucky donors.”
In fact, Alan inspired Enid donors so much that more
of them gave than at any other Blood Institute site
during a Pre-Memorial Day blood drive. It was a
remarkable feat – like Alan’s – since the area has the
fifth largest population among the Blood Institute’s
donor center cities.
In all, 12,300 lives were saved thanks to a summer
of crazy feats, terrific community partners and
extreme donors!
PULSE — PAGE 4 — FALL ’12
FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.
Toll Free: 877-340-8777
•
Headquarters: 1001 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73104