OBI Blood Drive: Osage Boy is Fighting Leukemia

Osage Boy Is Fighting Leukemia Thanks to Blood Donors

 
January 8, 2018 ─  Kalem Marchesoni, 4 of Ponca City is fighting ALL Leukemia. He was originally treated for strep throat in December 2016, when blood work came back with the leukemia diagnosis. Kalem has had many blood transfusions during his treatment as he awaits a bone marrow transplant.
 
To help patients like Kalem, Pawhuska residents have the opportunity to donate blood at an Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive on Tuesday, January 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with the Osage Nation. The blood drive will be held at the Osage Nation Law Building, in the Conference Room (121A). Not only will donors being saving three lives with their donation, each blood donor will receive a free, limited edition, long-sleeved t-shirt.*  Information will also be available on the Be the Match national bone marrow registry, to help patients like Kalem find a bone marrow transplant match.
 
“Some of our friends and neighbors are facing another year of difficult and life-threatening health challenges,” said Jan Laub, Executive Director, Tulsa. “Oklahoma Blood Institute invites those who are healthy but have never given life-saving blood to help challenge themselves to donate blood.  And, since our current donors typically give only once or twice a year, we hope they are inspired to give as often as they can this year.” 
 
Whole blood can be donated every 56 days.  Platelet donations can be made as often as every 7 days, up to 24 times a year.
 
Donors also receive free health screenings and Donor Rewards points, redeemable at Oklahoma Blood Institute’s online store.  If donors opt not to take the t-shirt, Oklahoma Blood Institute will make a monetary donation to Global Blood Fund for blood center assistance in developing countries.
 
As a non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals statewide, including all Children’s, Indian and Veterans hospitals.
 
Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org.
 
*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.