Battle of the Banks blood drive aims to save lives and aid in sulfur tornado recovery

SULPHUR, Okla. (KXII) – Partners at BancFirst, Vision Bank and the First National Bank of Sulfur are working together to raise the most blood donations for charity.

“Sulfur has been through a lot this year and we understand that recovery will take time and it will take the community coming together,” said Daniel Castillo of Vision Bank.

Daela Echols with the Oklahoma Blood Institute says local hospitals need 1,500 blood donations a day, and with shortages during the holidays, every donation counts.

“When the holidays come around, donations slow down, people don’t donate as much, so events like this are critical for us to meet the needs of our hospitals,” Echols said.

Bryce Chitwood with the United Way of South Central Oklahoma says they need 30 donors, so for every blood donation received, $15 will be added to the Sulfur Long Term Recovery Fund.

“To give back and make sure that people who are working to get their lives back on track have the tools to do that,” Chitwood said.

Robin Jolly of First National Bank in Sulfur says it’s been a long road to recovery since April’s tornado left the city’s downtown in ruins, but says the ride hopes to give back to those in need.

“We’ve lost so much of our sales tax base and our downtown business center, and it’s just really hard for a small town,” Jolly said. “We’re all trying to work together and do what we can to get things back on track and get us back on our feet and thriving,” she added.

Echols says donors can help with recovery efforts for tornado victims, save a life and also win prizes.

“We encourage everyone to come out and donate, get a baked cake, a chance to win a YETI cooler and save three lives,” Echols said.

The ride starts on November 12 from 11am to 5:30pm at Crossway Baptist Church in Sulfur.