Thousands lined up to donate blood after OKC bombing, embodying the 'Oklahoma Standard'

Thirty years ago, the "Oklahoma Standard" came alive after the bombing of the downtown Oklahoma City federal building. The giving spirit extended across the state in so many ways. One of the biggest outpourings of support was seen at Our Blood Institute, known as the Oklahoma Blood Institute, then. 

Thousands of people showed up at OBI sites across the state. The largest turnout was at the main donation center, seven miles from the location of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

A line of potential blood donors wrapped around the OBI building on Northeast 10th Street and North Lincoln Boulevard, and a satellite building in northwest Oklahoma City. News 9 spoke to several people standing in line on April 19th.

“We’ve been here for about two hours and we’ll be here for another look like,” said Richard Baker, blood donor. “But they need the blood, that’s why we’re here.”

Everyone wanted to do something.

“I figure anything I can do to help, I wanna feel like I’m helping somebody,” said Tabbitha Dawson, a blood donor. “Every little thing counts.”

Thirty-three-year OBI employee Jacki Riddle was one of the first people to greet donors on April 19, 1995.

“I just remember the outpouring of love and support that we received, that I received,” said Jacki Riddle, Our Blood Institute employee.

Riddle said OBI staff worked long hours for days, not closing the doors until after midnight.

“We finally closed the 1001 location,” said Riddle. “It was probably close to 2 a.m., those people stayed until two o’clock to donate.”

The OBI collected thousands of units of blood from all over the state.

“They lined up in Enid, Ada, Ardmore and they stood in line and waited to donate,” said Riddle.

Riddle and other employees also felt the loss. The OBI lost 47 volunteer donors in the bombing. Their names were etched on a bench outside OBI headquarters.

“I always go out to the bench on the 19th and just have a couple moments to reflect,” said Riddle. “I will not ever forget it. I feel a connection, perhaps.”

In 1995, the OBI and Tinker Air Force Base were the only places in the metro that could take blood donations in emergency situations.

On the day of the bombing, the OBI collected 2,800 units of blood at the Lincoln location alone. On a typical day, they collect about 1,200 from all locations.