FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    February 2, 2007

ANNUAL NORTHWESTERN BLOOD DRIVE FEB. 7-8

 “Ride with Pride” by giving the gift of life at the Northwestern Oklahoma State University blood drive in the Student Center Ranger Room on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 7-8,  from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Every donor will receive a free Northwestern “Ride with Pride – Buck Up & Give Blood” T-Shirt, bonus points from participating instructors and free sandwiches from Chartwells. Donors also will earn Members for Life Points that can be redeemed in in the Northwestern Oklahoma Blood Institute (NWOBI) on-line store for Wal-Mart, gas or restaurant gift cards or merchandise at www.obi.org. Blood donations also may provide the key to a 2007 Sky roadster from Bob Moore Saturn.

Northwestern has a history of holding great blood drives and is recognized across the state for tremendous success. Since 1993 when the university first began holding blood drives with the NWOBI, more than 5,000 units of red blood cells, plasma and platelets have been collected.

“We hope to break the record set in 2004 when we drew 402 units at the NWOSU blood drive,” said Ashley Ewbank, Blood Program Consultant with the NWOBI. “Northwestern has the highest percentage of donor participation for colleges in Oklahoma and consistently hosts blood drives that rival the largest Oklahoma colleges. They have great students, faculty and administration, and we really appreciate their support.”

As for the Saturn car give-away, one Northwestern student got a little more than the regular rewards when she gave blood in 2006. Amy Hook, Alva sophomore and a contestant for Miss Northwestern, donated at the campus blood drive, was selected as a finalist and then chosen as the winner of a 2006 Saturn Vue.

“Winning the car was exciting and unexpected, but that is not the reason I donated, and it is not the reason that I continue to donate,” Hook said. “I donate because I know I can help save lives.

Hook also donates because her parents can’t and recent events in her family have made the importance of blood donation hit home.

“There have been two members of my family that have received blood products,” Hook said. “I know that if people hadn’t given blood, they may not be alive today.”

The minimum requirements are at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 105 pounds and be in general good health. Most medications will not prevent donors from donating, but it is a good idea to have a list of any medications, as well as a picture ID.

OBI is a non-profit regional blood center providing blood to more than 111 hospitals in Oklahoma and North Central Texas. For more information about the drive contact Audra Qualls, special events coordinator at Northwestern, at (580) 327-8178 or NWOBI at 800-299-9323.

-NW-

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