Monday, January 29, 2024
Our Blood Institute declares emergency blood shortage Courtesy of Our Blood Institute
As winter weather moved into the area this past week, blood donors began cancelling appointments and blood drives were delayed, forcing an already struggling blood supply to critically low levels. This blood shortage has the potential to impact hospitals and patients in need. Our Blood Institute (OBI) is asking donors to reschedule appointments and come in to donate as soon as possible as the weather clears. Right now, OBI only has a 1–2-day supply of blood, which is well below our safe stock level. For over a week, OBI has been sending out more blood to hospitals than it is bringing in from donors. If this continues, it could impact treatments for cancer, scheduling of surgeries, and transfusions of all types. OBI is not alone in this blood deficit. In the last few weeks, other blood providers across the nation have also declared emergency blood shortages. OBI is the primary blood supplier for the state of Oklahoma, exclusively servicing more than 95 percent of Oklahoma’s hospitals, medical facilities, and air ambulances, including other local health systems as Saint Francis, OU Health, SSM St. Anthony, Integris Health and Mercy. “January is always a difficult time,
Courtesy of Our Blood Institute Our Blood Institute has declared an emergency blood shortage.
as blood donations are typically slow during the holidays and in the weeks following, and the winter weather is magnifying the problem,” said Dr. John Armitage, Our Blood Institute president and CEO. “Since the start of the year, blood donations are lagging significantly and fewer people are donating. We urgently ask the public to step up and help secure their community blood supply.” Successful donors will receive a short-sleeved, glow-in-the-dark “When
I’m Not Hibernating, I’m Donating Blood” T-shirt. Blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelets can be donated as often as every seven days, up to 24 times a year. “Blood has no substitute,” Armitage said. “Patients across the state rely on blood products to fight cancer, survive trauma and heal after childbirth. Blood donation takes about an hour and can save up to three lives.”
Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-3408777. Walk-ins are also welcome. *16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required. news.ed@ocolly.com
Best Buddies encourages relationships one buddy at a time Faith Frantz O’Colly Contributor
Payton Little Katelyn Woods won the Miss OSU 2024 crown on Thursday.
Miss OSU 2024 takes the crown Alli Themer Staff Reporter
Eight candidates competed for the title, including Megan Bradley, Mckenzie Deitz, Serena Gray, Paige Marie Condon, Mikyah Davis, Charlotte Sams, Tessa Dorrell There’s a new Miss OSU and Emma Place. The scholarship competition consisted of on campus. Katelyn Woods, a fresh- five categories: personal interman from Lawton majoring in view, talent, health and fitness, strategic communication, took evening gown and an on-stage the 2024 crown during the an- interview. As Miss OSU, Woods nual pageant on Thursday. received a $1,500 scholarship.
The first runner-up and winner of a $1,000 scholarship was Charlotte Sams. The second runner-up and winner of a $500 scholarship was Tessa Dorrell. The winner of the People’s Choice award was Emma Place. Not only did Woods win the title, but she also won the talent category, performing jazz en pointe to “Feel it Still” by Portugal the Man. See Miss OSU on 5
To Ainsley Flemons, Best Buddies means more than a few hours of community service or a title to put on a resume. Best Buddies, an international organization that works with people around the world to promote inclusion, helps people, or “buddies,” who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. As president of OSU’s chapter, Flemons and her team of executive club members meet once a month to coordinate the club’s activities. They schedule events where buddies have the chance to interact with college students while making crafts such as bead bracelets and origami, singing karaoke, playing bingo or doing puzzles. “Essentially, the way the club works is that each student that wants to get involved with the club is paired with a buddy, or a person living with IDD,” Flemons said. “Each pair is required to hang out once a month, but a lot of buddies end up hanging out a lot more because they wind up as really good friends. It’s more than a good deed. It’s a friendship, and it’s meant to last.” Flemons became involved with Best Buddies in high school after the club paired her with a buddy who she says changed her life, as well as her perspective of those around her with IDD. Flemons’ high school buddy, Jackson Clapp, was transitioning into the Best Buddies program for college students, which is focused on making sure people with IDD have the chance to be involved in their
communities. Jackson was almost three years older than Flemons, though, due to autism, his mind was much younger. Clapp’s relationship with Best Buddies revolved around learning how to land a job, interact with adults and become active in his community. Lori Clapp, Clapp’s mom, said she is greatful for what the organization has done for her son. “As a special needs person, relationships in general are hard to foster and continue, so having Best Buddies, even if it was just once or twice a month, was the highlight of (Jackson’s) month, because it gave him some independence,” Lori Clapp said. “Best Buddies has been so good for Jackson. Because of Ainsley, he has the chance to talk to people he considers friends. I completely trusted Ainsley with Jackson, which can be so hard for a parent with a special needs child.” Clapp is now involved with SMU’s Best Buddies chapter. He has a new buddy, but he still talks to Flemons whenever he can. This sometimes means going with Flemons to a Dallas Stars game, grabbing ice cream or bird-watching in his favorite park. “With Ainsley, it didn’t end when Best Buddies ended in high school,” Lori Clapp said. “They still do things friends would do.” Now that she has a leadership role in Best Buddies at OSU, Flemons hopes to make inclusion a regular aspect of college life. Because of her relationship with Clapp, Flemons put a lot of her time in college into Best Buddies, and many of its members say she has been an inspiration to them. See Buddies on 6