Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 45 area healthcare facilities, is in emergency need of all blood types. Blood inventory levels are at a historic low, with less than a one-day supply available. Eligible donors are asked to give immediately at a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive or donor center.
CBCO partner hospitals are also asking those in the community to make the time to give blood. "Washington Regional, like other hospitals in Northwest Arkansas, relies on the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks as our primary blood supplier,” said Birch Wright, Washington Regional Chief Operating Officer. “Our patients receive the vital blood products they need from donors who choose to give with CBCO. It truly matters where you donate, and I urge all eligible donors to give with CBCO to ensure your donation supports our local community. If you've never donated before, now is the perfect time to start."
"The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is Northwest Health’s local blood supplier, providing our patients with the blood products they need. Due to an unprecedented local shortage, CBCO is issuing an emergency appeal. We haven’t faced a shortage like this in over two years. It truly matters where you donate. The only way to ensure a healthy blood supply for our local hospitals is to donate with CBCO. I urge eligible donors to step up and donate with CBCO to help stock the shelves with the blood our patients depend on. If you’ve never donated before, now is the perfect time to start."
“CBCO is currently facing extreme shortages of blood, with reserves at critically low levels. As the sole provider of blood to area hospitals, this shortage has a significant local impact,” said CBCO Media Relations Representative, Michelle Teter. “We have not experienced a blood shortage like this in over two years.” Teter continued, “It does matter where you donate and the only way to maintain a healthy blood supply for local patients is to donate with CBCO. If you are eligible, we urge you to donate. If you have never donated before, now is the perfect time to start.”
All donors in July will receive a plush, ‘Chillin in the Ozarks’ beach towel, while supplies last.
Donors can give at one of four CBCO donor centers located in Bentonville, Ark., Springdale, Ark., Joplin, Mo., or Springfield, Mo. There are also opportunities to give at mobile blood drives across the Ozarks.
To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. To schedule an appointment, call 417-227-5006 or schedule at www.cbco.org/ .
Donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and may not have given blood in the past 56 days.
On behalf of local hospital patients, CBCO thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.