Lifesavers Came Out for Community Blood Drive and EMS Week Barbecue

60 lives potentially saved thanks to Tulsa Life Flight blood drive

PRYOR, OK - May 22, 2026 - In honorof National EMS Week, residents of Mayes Couty were invited to donate blood at Tulsa Life Flight's community blood drive. An impressive 20 people came to donate during the four-hour event on May 19 at MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor. Since each donation has the ability to save up to three recipients, approximately 60 patients can benefit thanks to the selflessness of these donors.

The blood drive was held in conjunction with Our Blood Institute (OBI), which supplies the blood Tulsa Life Flight carries on its emergency air medical helicopters. The program's highly skilled flight nurses and paramedics can administer blood to patients in flight, greatly increasing the chances of survival for those suffering from severe blood loss.

"Knowing their donation can make a difference right in our community matters to people and it makes giving blood more personal," said Tulsa Life Flight Nurse Aubrey Richardson. "Tulsa Life Flight has a great relationship with OBI and we are proud to help as they supply the blood that saves lives right in our own community."

In addition to the blood drive, Tulsa Life Flight also hosted a barbecue at the same time to honor the first responders caring for Mayes County and beyond. Approximately 45 representatives from Mesta EMS, Mayes County 911, and Mercy Regional EMS came to enjoy a time of food and fellowship with others from the emergency response community.

"National EMS Week highlights the essential role of pre-hospital providers in delivering excellent and time-sensitive care. We are thankful for our EMS partners on the ground and wanted to recognize their tireless work," said Air Methods Account Executive Johnny Dobson. "By working side-by-side, we've built a strong system of care together, one that gives every patient the best possible chance."

Tulsa Life Flight is part of Air Methods, the nation's leading emergency air medical service provider. With helicopters quipped as flying ICUs, Tulsa Life Flight's industry-leading clinical teams provide lifesaving care for neonatal, pediatric, high-risk obstetric, and adult patients with cardiac, stroke, trauma, and other critical care needs. They carry whole blood that can be administered in-flight for patients suffering from severe blood loss and at risk of hemorrhagic shock, as well as a Zoll AutoPulse CPR device, allowing for in-flight mechanical CPR. With bases in Pryor and Okmulgee, along with their sister base, MediFlight of Oklahoma in Stillwater, they provide an ecosystem of critical care across central and eastern Oklahoma.

Air Methods is committed to providing air medical services to all members of the communities it serves and is in-network with most major health insurance providers across the country for emergency air medical services. Additionally, their patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to ensure affordability. Air medical memberships are not required to be transported by any provider.