Oklahoma Blood Institute

Muskogee High School's National Honor Society has particpated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Oklahoma Pennies for Patients student drive for the last five years. This organization provides help for families of children with blood diseases and works in conjunction with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, the same organization sponsoring the blood drive with First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 22nd at Arrowhead Mall for our young friend, Jimmy Wilcoxen. Both organizations have saved countless lives and work diligently to find a cure for blood diseases.

None of these National Honor Society students ever would have thought in their wildest imaginations that their efforts at raising thousands of dollars in penny donations would eventually affect someone they knew and loved - they did it just because it was the right thing to do.

On November 22nd individuals both young and old will turn out to give blood to the OBI drive for Jimmy. Many will be his loyal friends and family, but others will not even know him. They will turn out because, even in our highly mechanized and technical modern world, community is still as important today as it was to the ancients. They will do it because Muskogee is full of wonderful people who pull together when there is a need. They will do it because it is the right thing to do.

If you are considering donating blood for Jimmy, here's how it works:

• Anyone can give blood - you don't have to match Jimmy's blood type.
• All blood given stays in Oklahoma. Jimmy is given credits in Texas for the blood donated here. These credits will help defray the cost of his transfusions while in the hospital in Houston.
• Bring your photo ID. It is mandatory to have a photo ID when donating blood.

The whole Muskogee community is pulling for Jimmy. Our thoughts, prayers and good wishes go out to him and his entire family. We love you!