Dina and Scarlet are proving that lifesaving donors come in all shapes and sizes.
Dina McDaniel has been making the drive to Our Blood Institute's Ada donor center to donate platelets because helping others is important to her. So when her veterinarian called asking if her dog, Scarlet, could donate blood to help another local dog, Dina didn't hesitate.
Today, Dina and Scarlet are both blood donors making a difference in their community.
When Scarlet Got the Call
When Scarlet was asked to donate blood in May 2026, Dina's jumped at the opportunity to let Scarlet help. Scarlet donated a little more than a pint of blood. After resting overnight, she was back to normal.
"And then I heard the dog was doing really good after that... She just went in and saved a life," Dina explained.
Why Dina Keeps Donating
Dina owns a restaurant in McAlester, OK, making it difficult to get away during the week. Every third Wednesday, she sets aside the time to drive more than an hour to donate platelets at OBI's Ada donor center.
"It's time consuming, but I try my best to get it all set up so I can get there. It's important to me."
