AFR Blood Drives Saved Lives

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AFR Women’s Cooperative blood drive drives saved 5,292 lives in 2018 with a total of 59 blood drives held across the state. This announcement was made February 16th during the 2019 AFR Convention at the Embassy suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman.

“This is simply amazing,” said Pam Livingston, 2018 AFR Women’s Cooperative Chair. “We are grateful for our blood drive hosts and donors who made this happen.”

The AFR Women’s Cooperative elected to partner with Oklahoma Blood Institute to increase awareness for the need of donating blood as their 2018 initiative. As the nation’s 9th largest non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute relies solely on 1,200 volunteer blood donors a day to meet the needs of patients at more than 160 hospitals and medical facilities statewide. This was made possible by AFR agencies, counties and locals hosting blood drives across the state.

At the Women’s Cooperative awards program the following agencies, counties and locals were recognized for their outstanding efforts.

Most New Donors: 1st – Coweta Insurance Agency, 2nd – Cherokee Farmers Union, 3rd Hofschulte Insurance Services

Most Total Participants: 1st – Coweta Insurance Services, 2nd Cherokee County Farmers Union, 3rd – Ellison Group – Watonga OFU Local 504

Most Young Donors: 1st Cherokee County Farmers Union, 2nd Coweta Insurance Agency, 3rd tie – Haskell Insurance Agency and Detrick Insurance Agency

In addition to agency, county and local blood drives, the AFR Women’s Cooperative hosted blood drives at the AFR Convention, the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Oklahoma State FFA Convention and the Tulsa State Fair.

Serving rural communities is a cornerstone of AFR.

 

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Lives Saved With Blood Drive at Tulsa State Fair

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Saving lives through blood donations was the focus at the AFR Women’s Cooperative sponsored blood drive at the Tulsa State Fair, Oct. 2.

The blood drive is part of an on-going effort by the AFR Women’s Cooperative and the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) to increase blood donations throughout the state.

Greeting blood donors during the blood drive was Kathryn Frazee, a member of the AFR Women’s Cooperative from Miami, Okla. She said it was a great opportunity to help others.

“It’s (volunteering) the right thing to do,” Frazee said. “It’s a privilege to help save lives.”

“From our very beginning, more than 100 years ago, we have focused on serving rural Oklahoma communities,” Terry Detrick, AFR/OFU president, said. “Improving the lives of rural Oklahomans has always been our priority.”

 

PHOTO CAPTION: Kathryn Frazee, left, and Lakesha Hawkins, members of the AFR Women’s Cooperative, worked as volunteers during the AFR Women’s Cooperative sponsored blood drive at the Tulsa State Fair, Oct. 2.

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AFR Women’s Conference set for August 11-12 in Sulphur, Okla.

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AFR women are invited to attend the annual AFR Women’s Conference-Weekend in the Springs, August 11th and 12th in Sulphur, Okla.  The historic Artesian Hotel, located in downtown Sulphur, is the headquarters for this fun and educational conference.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to experience a relaxing weekend in beautiful south central Oklahoma for our conference,” said Pam Livingston, AFR Women’s Cooperative chair. “Our goal is to educate, motivate and inspire women.”

Conference highlights include a tour of the Chickasaw Cultural Center, Stomp Dance demonstration and meals featuring local cuisine. There will also be time to visit local shops in historic downtown Sulphur before concluding the evening at the Artesian Hotel.

The original Artesian Hotel, built in 1906, was a regular getaway for celebrities, politicians and trendsetting tourists. A 1962 fire destroyed the building but not the concept. Today, the new and improved hotel features unique shops, fine dining and indoor bath house and pools taking advantage of the area’s natural springs.

The Chickasaw Cultural Center, located in the Arbuckle Mountains, is a world-class museum focused on the Chickasaw history and culture. The center includes an amphitheater, sky terrace, traditional village and interactive exhibits.

Livingston notes adventure and fun awaits participants at this year’s conference, but it’s just one of the many opportunities of the AFR Women’s Cooperative.

“Our mission is to build community involvement by offering initiatives and educational opportunities to AFR members,” Livingston said.

To learn more, go to www.iafr.com

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Lives Saved by AFR Blood Drives in 2017

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More than 825 lives were saved as the result of blood donations made during AFR-sponsored blood drives last year.  The announcement was made during the AFR Women’s Cooperative awards luncheon, Feb. 17. The luncheon was held in conjunction with the annual AFR convention at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman.

“This is incredible,” said Crystie Shebester, AFR Women’s Cooperative state council chair, “we are so pleased and overwhelmed by the generosity of Oklahomans.”

The AFR women leaders made blood donations a priority activity in 2017 as many local and county AFR groups and insurance agents sponsored blood drives. AFR partnered with the Oklahoma Blood Institute.  As the nation’s 9th largest non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute relies solely on 1,200 volunteer blood donors a day to meet the needs of patients at more than 160 hospitals and medical facilities statewide.

A total of 2,475 units of blood were donated in 2017 during AFR sponsored blood drives.  OBI estimates for every three units of blood donated, one life is saved.

During the luncheon, awards were presented to local AFR groups attracting the most donations.  This included:

1st- Northeastern State University with a total of 200 units donated, sponsored by the Celeste Looney AFR Insurance Agency.

2nd-Elk City with 125 units donated, sponsored by the Crow AFR Insurance Agency.

3rd- Locus Grove Guns & Hoses with 65 units donated, sponsored by the Cowan AFR Insurance Agency

Also recognized for their outstanding blood donation efforts were Gilbert AFR Insurance Agency in Tecumseh, the Miller AFR Insurance Agency in cooperation with the Pushmataha Hospital, and the Brown AFR Insurance Agency in cooperation with Lone Star Elementary school.

An amazing fact of the 2017 AFR blood drives was the response from 172 people who were first-time blood donors.

In addition to local blood drives, AFR also sponsored blood drives during the 2017 Oklahoma Youth Expo and the Oklahoma FFA convention.  Practically all donations were from rural Oklahomans.

Serving rural communities is a cornerstone of AFR.

“From our very beginning, more than 100 years ago, we have focused on serving rural Oklahoma communities,” Terry Detrick, AFR president, said. “Improving the lives of rural Oklahomans has always been our priority.”

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