Media Inquiries
Our Community Relations staff is available 24 hours a day to respond to media inquiries. Contact Leslie Gamble, Community Relations Director, at 405-278-3119 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with questions or to schedule an interview.
Blood Drives Support Hospitals
May 1, 2013 — Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) encourages blood donors’ support so patients in area hospitals won’t have to be concerned about the availability of blood. Donors with Arkansas Blood Institute provide every drop of blood needed by patients in 14 hospitals in western Arkansas.
Each donor giving in May will receive an ABI insulated lunch tote, free health screenings and Donor Reward points. Donors may choose to forgo the tote to support the Global Blood Fund (GBF). Funds so designated will then be contributed to GBF for supplies and equipment for blood centers in the world’s poorest countries.
Since there is no substitute for human blood, supplies must constantly be renewed. Arkansas Blood Institute encourages anyone who is 16 and older* to donate and save a life this spring.
Although all blood types are needed, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. According to AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks), those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population; however, O-negative blood can be used by anyone in urgent need.
Schedule your life-saving donation, Today!
Save A Life In April. Donate Blood.
April 1, 2013 - Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) invites all area residents to donate blood this April in a donor center or at a mobile drive near you. Donors can feel good knowing they are saving up to three lives with their donation. In addition, all donors will receive an ABI insulated lunch tote, free health screenings, and Donor Reward Points in appreciation for their donation.
Additionally, if blood donors choose to forgo the donor appreciation item, funds designated for this item will be directed to our partnering organization, Global Blood Fund (GBF). ABI and GBF share a common goal, to keep people healthy.
Of those eligible to donate blood in the U.S., only 10 percent actually do. Since there is no substitute for human blood, supplies must constantly be renewed. ABI encourages all healthy adults, 16 years and older* to donate blood. Donations can be made every 56 days.
The need for blood is constant; every two seconds someone is in need of blood. Patients in Arkansas hospitals have needs 365-days-a-year, whether it’s for scheduled treatments or for emergencies.
Arkansas Blood Institute is affiliated with Oklahoma Blood Institute, the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America. ABI provides blood to 14 different hospitals serving the western Arkansas counties of Clark, Crawford, Franklin, Garland, Hot Spring, Johnson, Logan, Montgomery, Pike, Polk, Scott, Sebastian and Yell.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Schedule your life-saving donation, Today!
FEELING WELL. GIVE BLOOD.
February 1, 2013 - The surge in the flu and other common winter illnesses has Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) ready for ‘double trouble’. “If you’re well, you are needed to stand in the gap for those who aren’t,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO.
“With more hospitalized, the need for blood often increases,” said Armitage. “At the same time, some regular blood donors are coming down with viruses or the flu and temporarily can’t give. It can be a real challenge.”
Anyone, who is 16 years and older * and healthy, can donate. Each blood donor this month receives an Arkansas Blood Institute ball cap, free health screenings and Donor Rewards points.
Blood donors can choose to forgo the donor appreciation items. Then, funds designated for these items will be directed to Global Blood Fund (GBF), a charity whose mission is to make safe blood available in the world’s poorest countries.
Although all blood types are needed to maintain Arkansas Blood Institute’s typical three-day supply, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population. However, O-negative blood can be used by anyone in an emergency situation, regardless of their type.
Donors with Arkansas Blood Institute provide every drop of blood needed by patients in all 17 medical facilities in the area. Appointments to donate are not required but are available.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Chief Information Officer Named
January 24, 2013 ─ J.P. Potter has joined Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) as its Chief Information Officer. Potter leads the information technology (IT) functions across all locations served in Oklahoma, north central Texas and western Arkansas. 
Potter joins the executive team after serving five years in IT leadership capacity with Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City. His 33-year career has included a broad range of IT roles in industries including computer services, electric utility, retail, consulting and oil and gas.
He earned degrees in both Business Administration and Computer Science at Drury University.
Start Off The New Year By Saving Lives
January 1, 2013 - Blood donors will receive a free ball cap, health screenings and Donor Rewards points, redeemable for merchandise in Arkansas Blood Institute’s online store when they donate blood with Arkansas Blood Institute this month.
If donors prefer, they can forgo the ball cap to support the Global Blood Fund. Arkansas Blood Institute will redirect funds for the ball caps to this charity assisting blood centers in developing countries.
“With the start of a new year and unanticipated weather, blood donations typically decline in the winter months,” said John Armitage, Arkansas Blood Institute president and CEO. “But the need for blood is constant, and patients in our community count on volunteer donors to fulfill that need.”
Arkansas Blood Institute exclusively provides every drop of blood needed by patients in 17 hospitals in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, thanks to its volunteer donors.
Anyone, 16 years or older*, can typically donate blood.
*16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Schedule your life-saving donation, today!
Blood Donors ‘Double” Giving for Local Children
December 3, 2012 — Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) is contributing $5,000 to Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock on behalf of its blood donors. Between May and October, donors were offered the chance to forgo recognition T-shirts, so that ABI could support the local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) affiliate with those funds.
Through the gift of blood and support of community outreach programs, medical research and equipment at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, donors are able to ‘doubly give’ for those battling life-threatening conditions.
According to Kim DuPas, ACH development officer, the hospital has been proud to partner with Arkansas Blood Institute to raise money and awareness for patients. “Together, we can work to give children the care, love and hope they deserve,” she said.
Every two seconds someone needs blood. Arkansas Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed by patients in 16 hospitals in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma thanks to its volunteer donors. People 16 and older, who are generally in good health, can typically give blood. Donation usually takes about an hour. Yet, of those eligible to donate, less than 10 percent give each year.
Schedule your life-saving donation, today!
Make Blood Donation a Priority This Holiday Season.
December 1, 2012 ─ Area residents are encouraged to get in the giving spirit by donating life-saving blood. Each donor will receive a ball cap, health screenings and Donor Rewards points, redeemable for items in ABI’s online store. Any donor who wishes to support the Global Blood Fund can forgo the ball cap. In turn, Arkansas Blood Institute will make a monetary contribution of similar value to the Global Blood Fund. It’s a chance to ‘doubly give’ by saving a life locally, and making safe blood available in the world’s poorest countries.
“We’re blessed to be surrounded by giving people who respond when they know of a need,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “The gift of blood is a life-saving one. It’s difficult to think of anything more important that we personally can do.”
Because there is no substitute for blood, the supply must constantly be renewed. Although all blood types are needed, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. According to the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population. However, O-negative blood can be used by in any emergency situation when a patient’s blood type has not yet been identified.
Anyone, 16 years or older*, can typically donate blood. Blood can be given every 56 days.
*16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Find an Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) blood drive near you, today!
Blood Thanks & Giving Day, August 2
August 2, 2012 ─ Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) encourages all Arkansas residence to participate in “Blood Thanks & Giving Day” Thursday, August 2. This is a day to celebrate those whose lives have been saved by loyal blood donors.
Anyone who has received blood is encouraged to show gratitude by sharing the story of how blood donation affected his/her life. When blood recipients fill out cards to share their stories at Arkansas Blood Institute donor centers, not only will they be an encouragement to blood donors, but they will also receive an “I’m Alive Thanks to A Blood Donor” T-shirt.
Those 16 and older, and generally in good health, can donate blood. Blood can be donated every 56 days. ABI provides every drop of blood needed by patients in 16 hospitals in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma thanks to its volunteer donors.
Every two seconds someone needs blood. Yet, of those eligible to donate blood in the U.S., less than ten percent actually donate each year.
“Blood given with Arkansas Blood Institute meets the needs of those in our communities,” said John Armitage, MD, Arkansas Blood Institute president and CEO. “So blood donors know they are saving the lives of their friends, family and co-workers. Some may have no idea they will need blood in an urgent situation.”
People who have had surgeries and returned to good health can donate blood as early as two weeks after their procedures. Those who receive blood during surgery can give blood after a year. Cancer survivors can donate just one year after being cancer free, except for those who have had hematologic blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Schedule an appointment to donate blood at any donor center or mobile drive, today.
Donors Help Boost Summer Blood Supply
July 1, 2012 ─ Blood donors this summer will not only save lives when they donate with Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI), they’ll also get a T-shirt, free health screening and Donor Rewards points.
Anyone who is healthy and 16 years or older* is encouraged to donate.
“For patients in need of blood, there’s no summer vacation,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and chief executive. “That’s why it’s crucial that blood donors take just an hour to donate blood. The lives of our friends, co-workers and neighbors may depend on it.”
Any donor who wishes to support Children’s Miracle Network hospitals - locally, Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH)- can forgo the T-shirt offered in appreciation for giving. In turn, Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) will make a monetary donation of similar value to ACH. It’s a chance to ‘doubly give’ to Arkansas children battling critical health conditions – through the life-saving gift of blood and support for pediatric medical research, community outreach and treatment initiatives.
Arkansas Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed by patients in 16 hospitals in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma thanks to its volunteer donors.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Schedule your donation today at one of our donor centers or at a mobile drive near you.
