Oklahoma Blood Institute

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is a nonprofit center that provides blood to patients in more than 90 hospitals and 56 Oklahoma counties. Founded on Jan. 1, 1977, by the Oklahoma County Medical Society, the center also provides specialized medical services, educates community and medical leaders and participates in blood-related research. Operation revenues come from blood processing fees charged to hospitals. The fees cover the cost of recruiting donors and collecting, testing, storing and delivering blood to hospitals. Special projects are funded through the contributions of area businesses, schools, foundations and individuals. The center offers services that include multi-level educational opportunities, participation in health fairs and testing for individuals. The Oklahoma Blood Institute offers educational presentations from elementary school children to physicians. OBI's staff gives educational lectures each year on subjects such as donating blood, basic blood banking, HIV and other blood-borne pathogens and transfusion medicine updates.