Date: May 4, 2022
Taylor Steele called the Club meeting to order. Jordan Rickets was the Rotarian of the day. Jordan led the Club in prayer, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the 4-Way Test.
Announcements
We had two happy dollars. Eric Ward mentioned the Completion and Certification Ceremony that will be held on May 10, 2022. Darrell Scott’s son-in-law has been accepted into medical school. Treasurer Kevin Howard reminded the club that there is still time to make a donation that will be sent to Ukraine.
Speaker
Rotarian of the Day Jordan Rickets introduced his speaker, Susan Crews, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Blood Institute in Ardmore. Susan has worked at OBI for almost 31 years. The Oklahoma Blood Institute began in 1977. Before that there was no organization that worked to assure that the blood supply needs were met. By 1980 the state was already self-sufficient in meeting its blood supply needs. The OBI was the first to get free cholesterol testing of blood donations. When Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) became a blood supply safety concern in 1985, OBI was instrumental in the development of the original HIV Antigen test eventually used throughout the United States.
The pandemic strained the blood supply as many blood drives were cancelled. A blood emergency was declared recently when there was only a one day supply of blood available. It has improved but it demonstrates the need for people to donate. You can donate whole blood every 56 days. Only 6% of the population donates blood. There is a blood drive this Friday from 11:45 am - 05:00 pm at the Shops at Ardmore next to Hibbett’s Sports.
Attendance
16 members, 1 guest, for a total of 17.
Guests
Susan Crews, speaker, prospective member.