Give blood and save a life!
Premature infants need ~4 units of blood; trauma victims up to 50 units. With a 42 day shelf life all blood types are needed now. Just two hours of your time saves lives. Step up and serve others.
Jack Browne, Wichita Falls Times Record News edition, Sunday December 14, 2025
When was the last time you thought about donating blood? Yesterday I donated a double unit of red blood cells at OBI Wichita Falls.
I can make three such donations a year –– once every four months as my red blood cells replenish.
One benefit of the power red donation is that the red blood cells can be used in three to seven days, as no separation of blood componets is performed. There are several ways to donate: whole blood, plasma, platelets or a power red donation of two units of red blood cells.
Why should you donate? Many premature infants require up to four transfusions of blood to survive, while mothers are at risk of needing blood during or after childbirth. Burn and accident victimes or others suffering massive blood loss can require 50 or more units of red blood cells. People living with anemia and blood disease need ongoing transfusion to survive.
Annually over ten million units of red blood cells are transfused every year in the U.S. Donated red blood cells expire after 42 days and supplies must be continuously replenished.
From the moment I walked in, I could tell the staff at OBI Wichita Falls were more than just coworkers—they were a team. They greeted me warmly, explained every step of the process, and made sure I was comfortable throughout.
Their professionalism and camaraderie reminded me that donating blood isn’t just a transaction. It’s a human connection that saves lives.
Here are the facts. The average adult has about 10 to 12 pints of blood circulating in their body. When you donate, you give just one pint—less than 10% of your total supply.
And your body recovers quickly. Plasma, the liquid portion of your blood, is replaced within 24 hours, and red blood cells replenish in a few weeks. In other words, you’ll feel normal almost immediately, and your body will quietly restore what you gave without missing a beat.
That’s a small sacrifice for something that could mean life or death for someone else. Unfortunately, the need for blood far outpaces supply.
Across the country, blood banks are reporting critical shortages, and OBI Wichita Falls is no exception. Seasonal factors, fewer donation drives, and increased medical procedures all contribute to the gap.
Hospitals rely on a steady flow of donations for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatments, and chronic illnesses. When that flow slows down, the consequences ripple through the entire healthcare system.
Behind every statistic is a person waiting. Imagine a cancer patient whose chemotherapy is delayed because there isn’t enough blood for transfusions. Or a trauma victim whose survival depends on immediate access to blood products. These aren’t hypothetical scenarios—they happen every day.
When blood is scarce, doctors are forced to make difficult decisions, and patients experience anxiety, pain, and sometimes worse outcomes. The shortage isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a crisis that affects real lives in real time.
Your donation matters more than ever. My experience at OBI Wichita Falls reminds me that donating blood is one of the most direct ways to help others.
It doesn’t require wealth, special skills, or hours of your time—just a willingness to give. The staff makes the process smooth and even enjoyable, and the impact is immediate.
One pint can save up to three lives. Think about that: in less than a couple of hours, you can change the someone’s future. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this is it.
The need is urgent, the process is simple, and the reward is immeasurable. Visit OBI Wichita Falls, roll up your sleeve, and join a team of everyday heroes. You’ll walk out feeling good—and someone else will get the chance to keep living because of you.
Ready to make a difference? Our Blood Institute Wichita Falls at 3709 Gregory Street, Wichita Falls, 76308 is open Tuesday-Thursday 8:30am to 6pm, Friday 8:30am to 5pm and Sunday from 8am to 12 pm. Schedule an appointment at OBI Wichita Falls by phone, 940-689-2400.
I was in and out in less than two hours and got a cool shirt and lots of snacks. What gift will you give others for Christmas. There is a critical shortage of O- blood as well as immediate needs for all types of blood.
Don’t wait for someone else to step up. Be the reason someone gets a second chance. Donate blood today.
Jack Browne is a community activist and former technology engineer, sales and marketing executive at Motorola and other top tech companies.