NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An unrelenting need continues, and the doctor’s orders for this prescription can’t be filled at any pharmacy.

Passionate to share Blood Assurance’s message, Brooke Katz, who is the media relations coordinator, says fewer people have donated while the number of people in need of blood goes up here in Middle Tennessee.

“The thing that people don’t realize is how important this is,” said Katz. “Blood is a medicine, and it is being used every single day.”

Hospitals rely on people willing to give a piece of what keeps them alive. Katz explained how the 30 to 45-minute process works, so someone who hasn’t yet donated blood might consider it.

“Nobody loves needles, but I promise it does not hurt at all, and that is probably the shortest part,” said Katz. “When you donate here, it is helping local patients in this community.”

Blood Assurance supplies blood to the majority of hospitals in Middle Tennessee. The donation supply is currently upheld by a few donors.

“Out of all of the eligible people in the population who could donate, only about 3 percent do,” said Katz.

Blood Assurance makes incentives for the unyielding demand.

“If you donate through the 31st, so tomorrow, you will be entered to win a $500 e-gift card,” said Katz. “And then beginning in early April, on April 1st, we are giving away $100 gift cards to five people.”

Organizations can also host a blood drive through Blood Assurance.

Katz shared a message from a life-giving donor she met.

“She knows the good that it does,” said Katz. “And so I like her message: she said, ‘Do it scared; just do it.’”

For more information on how to donate, find locations, or organize a blood drive, visit Blood Assurance’s website.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at (Kim.Rafferty@newschannel5.com).

NORMAN — Both Oklahoma and Tennessee knew the drill coming into Sunday’s rubber game. With the series on the line, it would be an old-fashioned pitching duel between Sam Landry and Karlyn Pickens.

For a brief moment, it looked like the Landry and the Sooners would emerge victorious.

After the Sooners’ offense was non-existent through the first two innings, they started quickly in the third inning. Hannah Coor hit a leadoff single then stole second. Abby Dayton then followed with a single and then stole second. Nelly McEnroe-Marinas forced a walk to load the bases.

Kasidi Pickering stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI double that cleared the bases, giving the Sooners a 3-0 lead. In a series where both offenses struggled, it felt like all the momentum OU would need.

Instead, the Volunteers responded. Landry got two quick outs to open the frame, but Tennessee kept battling. Two walks and a single loaded the bases, then an RBI double from Laura Mealer cut OU’s lead to 3-2.

On the next at-bat, Ella Dodge smoked a three-run home run to right field to complete the two-out rally.

In a dramatic turn of events, OU’s three-run lead turned into a two-run deficit. The Sooners (31-3, 9-3 SEC) never recovered from that momentum change, as they fell 5-3 to Tennessee.

The loss marks the Sooners’ first series defeat in conference play. They lost on Friday 5-2 and won 4-1 on Saturday.

Landry eventually bounced back from that rough fourth inning, retiring nine of the final 10 batters she faced.

But the Sooners’ offense looked shellshocked as Pickens kept them from finding any rhythm. The Sooners had 12 of their final 14 batters retired over the final four innings, as the only hit came on a single from Abby Dayton with two outs on the board in the seventh inninmg.

But Nelly McEnroe-Marinas followed that with a strikeout, ending the game.

Landry finished with four hits and five runs allowed while striking out six and walking two. Pickens struck out six and allowed three hits, three runs and three walks.

— If it wasn’t Pickering, offense was really tough to come by this weekend, particularly on Saturday and Sunday. In Games 2 and 3, Pickering went 4-for-5 at the plate. The rest of the team combined for five hits.

For the weekend, Pickering was sensational. She finished 7-for-8 at the plate with two walks.

— Three of the Sooners’ four hits came in the third inning. The Sooners 2-for-12 with runners on base and 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

— It was a rough weekend for Gabbie Garcia, who went 1-for-8 across the three games. She finished 0-for-3 on Sunday.

— The struggles continue for Parker, who went 0-for-3 at the plate with zero walks. She’s now 2-for-30 (.067) at the plate in conference play.

— Up next: The Sooners will look to bounce back at UT-Arlington on Tuesday (6 p.m.)

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Sunday afternoon’s men’s March Madness action is a heavyweight tilt between Houston’s suffocating defense and Tennessee’s balanced attack.

How to watch No. 1 Houston vs. No. 2 Tennessee

• What: Midwest Regional, Elite Eight
• Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis
• Time: 2:20 p.m. ET, Sunday
• TV: CBS
• Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
• Watching in-person? Get tickets on StubHub.

These are two of the more physical defenses in the country, both ranking in the top three in adjusted defensive efficiency.

I don’t expect this to be a fun game to watch, as it may be low-scoring, with a ton of free throws and foul calls. Oddsmakers set the total in the 120s. I think the first to score around 67 wins the game.

The little things in this game will determine the outcome — hustle plays, momentum shifts and shot selection.

Houston is nearly unbeatable when they shoot around 42 percent from the field, posting a 31-1 record.

Tennessee, at times, can be offensively challenged, so its ability to get stops is even more important. Sometimes getting down by 5-7 points seems like a double-digit deficit. Of the Vols’ seven losses this season, three have come when they shoot 35 percent from the floor, and the other four have come when they shoot less than 25 percent from 3.

Houston is the best 3-point shooting team in the country, but almost no one guards the 3 like the Volunteers (third nationally). The Cougars will need their three-headed monster of guards in LJ Cryer, Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp to all play well and make shots.

Tennessee has size in the paint, so to create paint touches, they must make shots.

Matchups to watch are Uzan versus Zakai Zeigler and Cryer versus Chaz Lanier.

This matchup can also be streamed on the NCAA March Madness Live app and Paramount+. 

Houston vs. Tennessee odds

Streaming and betting/odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Photo of Chaz Lanier: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)