Throughout July, Oklahoma Blood Institute is offering donors the opportunity to forgo receiving a donor gift in favor of OBI making a contribution of similar value to the American Cancer Society.

Anyone healthy and 17 or older can participate by donating blood at any of Oklahoma Blood Institute's five metro-area donor centers, across the state or at one of many blood drives held weekly. Donations take about an hour and can be made every 56 days.

"We feel proud to partner with the American Cancer Society," said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and chief executive. "Like Oklahoma Blood Institute, the American Cancer Society is dedicated to saving lives. As the American Cancer Society fights for a cure, Oklahoma Blood Institute works to make sure the blood needed by those battling cancer is available, so they can come one day closer to being well, and we can all come one day closer to a cure."

And like the blood donated with Oklahoma Blood Institute, the money raised for the American Cancer Society will be used in Oklahoma. "These funds will be used for things like support groups, camps for children battling cancer, wigs for chemotherapy patients and programs that help pay for lodging and mileage for those who have to travel to receive treatment," said Sara E. Smith, director of communications, American Cancer Society, Oklahoma affiliate.

Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can cause a drop in platelets, causing the patient to bleed excessively. This is treated through blood or platelet transfusions.

The American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood at any OBI site, call 1-877-340-8777, or visit www.obi.org to see a list of blood drives and donor centers in your area. To learn more about the American Cancer Society or to get help, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.