Powerless Tulsans Have Opportunity to Help Others

Severe weather is keeping the people of Tulsa from giving blood, so the American Red Cross is bringing blood drives to them.

The Renaissance Hotel is partnering with the Red Cross to offer Tulsans the opportunity for more than a safe, warm and comfortable place to stay. The hotel is also giving their guests the opportunity to help save a life by donating blood. An emergency blood drive will be held today (Tuesday, December 11) from 3pm -7pm at the Renaissance, with snacks provided to all donors by the hotel.

“There are so many of us in Tulsa and surrounding counties that have been left with no power at home, at work, even at church. However, there is power inside each of us—the power to help save lives. Our local hospitals are counting on us to provide blood for area patients in need,” said Delisa English, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Southwest Region-Oklahoma. “A blood drive at a hotel is not a new idea, but a blood drive at a hotel where many of the guests have had to leave their homes due to a winter storm, that’s a first.”

As the severity of the ice storm became apparent, the Red Cross tried to find places that had electricity and a large group of people. When Renaissance Hotel management was alerted to their community’s emergency need for blood, they agreed to host a blood drive without hesitation.

English continues, “We’ve had a lot of drives that were forced to cancel and donors who can’t make their appointments. We are grateful to the management of the Renaissance Hotel for their willingness to help us and help our community by holding a blood drive during an ice storm. It’s like the old adage says, ‘desperate times demand desperate measures.’”

The severe winter weather comes at the start of the holiday season, making the Red Cross’ job of maintaining a stable local blood supply even more difficult. As Tulsans recover from this latest winter storm they are urged to call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800 448-3543) to make an appointment to donate blood.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.