All In: Donor Gives Blood + Estate

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SUMMER ’13
Show you’re fiercely concerned about patients in our area hospitals by
donating blood now! Through August 29, get a shirt showcasing a lion,
and two free admissions to the Oklahoma City Zoo or Tulsa Zoo & Living
Museum (availability subject to location of donation).
JULY SPECIAL EVENTS
13 -
19 - Hot Springs, M*A*S*H Bash,
Tulsa & NE OK, Bloodstock,
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Get a groovy T-shirt 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; 1635 Higdon Ferry Rd. 30th annual event T-shirt, burgers and when you donate at:
hotdogs -Promenade Mall, Tulsa
-Arrowhead Mall, Muskogee
-Washington Park Mall, Bartlesville
-Claremore High School
-Cherry Berry, Ponca City
(See related story on page 2.)
(More events
on page 2.)
All In: Donor Gives Blood + Estate
by Gary Lynch, director of Development & Sustainability
“I’m a platelet donor, but I don’t feel at ease without a knife or fork,” quipped James Hellams, OKC. His
enthusiasm for our life-saving mission has driven him to give 71 gallons (and counting). That’s about 568
times in a donor chair. That’s plenty of time to become renowned as the ‘class clown’ of the central OKC
donor center! Now, James is taking his commitment even further. He has designated Oklahoma Blood
Institute as the sole beneficiary of his estate.
James has no immediate family, yet wants to be sure he leaves a legacy with the sizeable estate he has
been fortunate enough to accumulate. James’ faith has profoundly influenced his belief in the sanctity of
life, and leaving his entire estate to Oklahoma Blood Institute manifests that belief.
Our Legacy Society honors financial contributors who include Oklahoma Blood Institute in their
estate plans. James will be listed among these generous contributors. If you would like information
about the various ways you can support our life-saving mission, please call Gary Lynch, 405-297- 5545.
FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.
Summer ’13
Bloodstock Marks Making Momma
a New Beginning Proud!
For Megan Ballou, Tulsa,
Bloodstock holds special meaning.
The original Bloodstock in 2005
was the first time Megan shared
her story about receiving blood
to encourage people to donate.
She was still recovering from a car
accident involving a semi-truck that
left her with extensive injuries.
Megan Ballou
received blood in
2005.
In fact, she was told that the air
transport team held little hope she
would survive. If it hadn’t been for
blood donated by 17 donors, who
had no idea whom they would help,
she would not have!
Since then, she has returned to Bloodstock to recount the
milestone it represents in her life. Celebrate Megan’s miracle by
donating at Bloodstock on July 13. (See locations on page 1.)
Congratulations to all 2013 high
school graduates - especially the
548 who received blood donation
honor cords, like Jarrett Talbott at
Edmond North High School. “Thank
you for allowing my son to donate
blood throughout his high school
years,” wrote Keisha Talbott, Jarett’s
mom. “It has helped teach him how
to be responsible.” Graduates in
210 different schools earned blood
donation honor cords.
Honor cord recipients donate blood Jarrett Talbott models
his OBI honor cord.
at least six times after turning
16! Students who accomplished
this earn a certificate and cord to wear at graduation. Through
the Honor Cord program, students learn the community impact
they can have in saving lives. If you’re 16 or older and enrolled
in high school, start earning your honor cord now by giving
blood!
To register visit obi.org/blood-donors/high-school-donors,
txbi.org/blood-donors/high-school-donors or arkbi.org/
blood-donors/high-school-donors.
AUGUST SPECIAL EVENTS
10 -Donate 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., at one of the
following Bob Moore Auto Group locations:
One lucky donor August 10
will win a new Dodge Dart!
- Edmond, KIA: west of Broadway Ext.,
south of Memorial Rd.
- OKC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram:
NW Expressway, west of Rockwell
- Norman, Nissan: I-35 and Tecumseh Rd.
- Tulsa, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram: Memorial Dr.
30 -Pre-Labor Day blood drives, all OK
donor centers, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
hotdogs, courtesy of Oklahoma Beef
Council; first chance to get this
year’s Bedlam T-shirt for OBI donors!
PULSE — PAGE 2 — SUMMER ’13
FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.
Former Professor
Finds New Way To
Inspire Students
Although Dr. Joe
Catalano retired after
29 years as a professor,
he is still teaching.
As a volunteer with
Oklahoma Blood Institute
(OBI), he educates high
school students on the
importance of making
blood donation a priority
as an advocate for its
Honor Cord program.
“I Wouldn’t Even Be Here.”
Bobbie Walker, Clarksville, has
a personal reason to encourage
people to donate blood. In May,
2011, she underwent a routine
medical procedure at Johnson
Regional Medical Center. A
complication from medication put
her in unexpected and serious
trouble.
Joe Catalano explains blood
donation to Ada students.
Dr. Catalano began volunteering with OBI three years ago. He has
greeted donors at blood drives and helped OBI staff in addition
to his work at the high school. “It is a type of constant activity
that gets you excited,” says Dr. Catalano. “If you like people, like
working with people and want to do something positive to help,
this would be a good opportunity.”
Dr. Catalano aims to instill compassion in the students and urges
everyone in the community to donate blood and time. “There’s a
real need,” he says. “If you want to do something that is positive,
doesn’t cost you anything and only takes a short time, but yet is
very beneficial, donating blood is one of the best things that you
can do.”
Interested in being a volunteer? Tasks vary based on the
interests and strengths of each individual, but most often, the need
is for good-hearted people who can welcome donors and assist
with simple clerical tasks. Click on ‘Volunteer” when you visit obi.
org, txbi.org or arkbi.org or call 918-477-0420.
As she fought for her life, she
needed blood from eight donors
with Arkansas Blood Institute.
Two units of platelets and plasma
were also transfused. Eventually,
Bobbie Walker
Bobbie made a strong recovery
and now enjoys a healthy life. She is employed at Clarksville
Community Health and Rehabilitation.
Arkansas Blood Institute donors provide every drop of blood
needed by all 13 medical facilities in the River Valley area.
“I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for those people who took
the time to give blood. They didn’t even know who they would
eventually help,” she said. Bobbie realizes that her emergency
need that day is no different than that of hundreds who daily find
their lives dependent upon life-saving blood donors.
Appreciation Event
A Home Run
Blood drive coordinators from across central Oklahoma enjoyed a
cookout, OKC RedHawks baseball game and a fireworks display in
May. Some 120 coordinators and their family members were honored
for tireless work in organizing and recruiting for blood drives at their
businesses, schools and community groups throughout the year.
The highlight of the evening was seeing blood recipient Tyler
Brooksher, 13, throw out the first pitch. Tyler needed blood from more
than 40 donors while battling a serious liver condition that eventually
required a liver transplant in 2012. He was joined by his family and
buddies from Norman, who shared heartfelt thanks to all for making sure
blood was available to help Tyler survive.
PULSE — PAGE 3 — SUMMER ’13
Perfect weather greeted 480 people attending the
event.
Tyler Brooksher, second from right, is surrounded
by friends and Dad Greg, in sunglasses, for hotdogs
before the ballgame.
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
Tulsa, Enid Get New Leadership
African Blood Centers
Helped
Recycling equipment
for blood centers
in underdeveloped
countries is a primary
function of Global Blood
Fund. From portable
beds to weight scales,
laptops to blood pressure
machines, all are valued
by these centers seeking
to build a voluntary blood donor system to support patients
in their hospitals. Wealthy countries’ cast-offs can make a
world of difference. A consignment of life-saving blood bank
equipment is ready to ship to Uganda - and you could help
send it! It follows a shipment already delivered to Zimbabwe.
Just forgo your T-shirt when you give blood this summer, and
your blood institute will make a monetary contribution of similar
value to Global Blood Fund. Follow this map at globalbloodfund.
org to track the progress of this latest initiative.
RedHawks Mondays
and Tuesdays: Donate
on a Monday or Tuesday
at an Oklahoma donor
center* through August
20, and receive two general
admission tickets to a
selected Oklahoma City
RedHawks baseball game.
Deon Smith has been named executive director of OBI, Tulsa.
Deon began his blood
banking career with OBI in
1994, as a phlebotomist.
Since ’96, he has worked
for Haemonetics, a global
company providing medical
devices and consultation
for blood processing. Most
recently, his role was strategic
account executive with
responsibility as sales director
for the western United States.
His vast exposure to other
blood centers’ operations and
management will be a great asset in the growth of services in
Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma. Deon graduated from Phillips
University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Deon and his wife,
Mindy, reside in Claremore with their two children.
Enid is also welcoming a new
executive director. Tania Warnock
is no stranger to the area. She
has worked at the city’s Central
National Bank since 2005, most
recently as marketing director.
Prior to that, she was director of
Development for the Reining Horse
Sports Foundation, OKC; director
of communications and marketing
for the Autry Technology Center,
Enid; and a business writer and
columnist for the Enid News and
Eagle. In this north central and western Oklahoma region where
commitment to OBI’s mission runs deep, Tania’s leadership
and dynamism will continue the terrific partnerships built upon
neighbors helping neighbors through the gift of blood.
*Except Tulsa donor center
PULSE — PAGE 4 — SUMMER ’13
Toll Free: 877-340-8777
FEEL GOOD. GIVE BLOOD.
Headquarters: 1001 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73104