LAWTON – Oklahoma Blood Institute has named Christi Chambers as the executive director of its Lawton market.
“Our ability to meet the need for lifesaving blood products in Lawton and the surrounding communities depends on generous donors and dedicated staff,” said Dr. John Armitage, OBI president and CEO. “Outreach and leadership are vital to our mission at OBI. Christi’s experience and skills will prove an excellent fit in her new role.”
Chambers’ 20-plus year career includes management and administrative roles, OBI officials said in a news release. Active in the Lawton community, Chambers serves on the Comanche County Hospital Foundation Board, in addition to other volunteer involvement initiatives. Her commitment to OBI’s life-saving mission first began when she was 17, she said.
“The first time I donated blood, I was still in high school,” recalls Chambers, who once worked as a recruiter for OBI. “After my first donation, Mom and I would go and give platelets. I’ve just always been an advocate for blood donations and saving lives.”
OBI is the sixth-largest independent blood center in the nation, providing more than 90% of Oklahoma’s blood supply to over 140 hospitals and medical facilities.
The Lawton Market covers southwest Oklahoma and part of north Texas.
“My main goal is to ensure that our community is educated on what the needs are, as well as how and where they can help,” said Chambers. “People can volunteer at the center, assist with blood drives or recruit donors. There are all kinds of avenues where people can help.”
Chambers stated that less than 5% of Oklahoma’s eligible donors donate blood. “We need to be more responsible and help our local hospitals by providing the blood that is needed,” she said.
“It is my wanton desire to build more meaningful partnerships with organizations and individuals throughout the communities we serve and encourage them to help save lives,” she said.
In addition to working with organizations like the Pork Council and Beef Council, Chambers is excited about OBI’s new Faith in Blood program that encourages area churches to get involved with blood drives regardless of their denomination, she said. OBI will have prayer cards, dove pins and different shirts to promote the program that is set to begin this month.
For more details about Oklahoma Blood Institute, visit https://obi.org or call 580-353-6451.