Tulsa, OK - Supporters of Families with Sickle Cell Disease and Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) Tulsa Center are partnering in a community blood drive to save lives and to raise awareness of the need for donations from individuals of all ethnic origins during the first annual World Sickle Cell Disease Day Friday.

All healthy, Tulsa-area residents, 17 and older, are encouraged to donate at the blood drive, Friday, June 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the foyer at Langston University, Tulsa Campus, 914 North Greenwood.

Nationally, the establishment of World Sickle Cell Disease Day will be celebrated at the United Nations (UN), in New York, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Locally, in addition to the OBI blood drive on Friday, June 19, Supporters of Families with Sickle Cell Disease has organized a commemorative program, including a balloon release ceremony, on Saturday, June 20, at Langston University to remember those who have died and to support those who live with the daily challenges of sickle cell disease.

"OBI appreciates Supporters of Families with Sickle Cell Disease for hosting this vital blood drive. Serious complications can often arise for patients whose lives depend on frequent transfusions for treatment of diseases such as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and certain types of cancer, said Andrew England, MT (ASCP), Oklahoma Blood Institute Immunohematology Reference Laboratory Medical Technologist.

"These individuals often need to be specifically matched with donors whose red blood cells are genetically more similar than typical O, A, B and AB blood types," England adds. "With ample blood donations from minority donors, Oklahoma Blood Institute can continue to provide the individualized blood products that these patients require in order to live."

All donors will receive a free "Feel Good, Give Blood Every 56 Days" T-shirt and a countdown keychain tag set to flash 56 days later as a reminder that the donor is eligible to give blood again. Additionally, donors will receive free health screenings and Members for Life points to redeem at OBI's online store.

Donations take about an hour and can be made every 56 days. For more information or to make an appointment to donate at this drive, call Jeremiah Watts 918-408-1468 or schedule an appointment online at www.obi.org. Photo identification is required to donate.

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