Donate Blood To Help A Ponca City Neighbor

One blood donor can help three patients and this week you have a chance to help Ponca City patient, Phil Bandy.

Bandy is having health issues that require blood products on a daily basis.

The Ponca City Medical Center is sponsoring a blood drive in his name.

His family and him have been active in the community for many years.

Jessy Derhem, Kay County Oklahoma Blood Institute program consultant said the drive will help with medical costs.

“He is using blood products through his treatment and by crediting your donation to him it will help him out, not only by making sure life saving blood is on the shelf when he needs it but also financially," Derhem said. "OBI can act as a supplemental insurance and once insurance stops covering blood products OBI can help with that cost when people credit their donations in your name.”

For each credit Bandy will receive 20 percent off a blood product and the credits can be saved for two years.

The drive is Thursday in Ponca City Medical Center basement conference room C.

OBI will be there all day from 10 to 4.

Derhem says it takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

You must be 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds to be a donor.

If you are 17 or older you don’t have to have a parents consent.

They suggest you eat a meal before you donate because you lose 650 calories in one pint of blood.