TULSA – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Our Blood Institute announced a new partnership Sept. 1 aimed at strengthening Oklahoma’s blood supply and encouraging blood donation across Tribal communities.
Leaders from MCN and OBI announced the partnership during a press conference at River Spirit Casino & Resort. Both groups have worked together for more than two decades, with the Nation hosting nearly 600 blood drives and collecting more than 10,000 units of blood.
For MCN Principal Chief David Hill, the importance of having donated blood available is personal. Hill said he received blood while hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2021.
“Blood saves lives,” Chief Hill said during the press conference. “It’s very important that we continue to have these blood drives.”
Principal Chief Hill said the Nation hopes the partnership helps raise awareness of blood donation and encourages more people to participate. He also emphasized that the effort benefits not only Mvskoke citizens but also Oklahomans throughout the state.
MCN Secretary of Health Shawn Terry said the Nation’s health system receives 100% of its blood supply through OBI. He said blood drives and initiatives such as OBI’s Tribal Challenge help keep blood donation visible to the public.
“Most people throughout their daily lives just don’t know that there’s blood drives that’s happening,” Terry said. “So it’s a constant process of us trying to educate, inform, market.”
The Tribal Challenge is a blood donation competition among participating Tribes. The MCN has previously won the challenge three times.
The partnership comes as OBI President and CEO Dr. John Armitage said the organization’s blood supply has been shrinking during recent shortages.
The organizations will put the partnership into action on Friday, Sept. 4, with the Jimmy Buffett Day of Giving Blood Drive at River Spirit Casino & Resort.
The walk-in-only blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in The Locker Room at River Spirit Casino & Resort. No appointments are required.
Margaritaville Vice President of Training and Development Adam Brocken said the Tulsa drive collected 100 units last year, with organizers setting a goal of 150 units this year. The event is part of Margaritaville’s annual Jimmy Buffett Day of Service, which encourages employees and communities to give back in recognition of Buffett’s philanthropic legacy.
Donors will also receive giveaways while supplies last, including a Jimmy Buffett Day t-shirt, a commemorative cup, a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” voucher for Margaritaville, a salt shaker stress squeeze, and an Our Blood Institute t-shirt.
Armitage encouraged Oklahomans to see donating as an opportunity to directly help someone in their community.
“You are giving lifetimes when you sit there for an hour,” Armitage said.
