CBCO Critical Appeal For Blood Dontations

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Community Blood Center of the Ozarks has issued a critical appeal for all blood types.
For more information call:
Chris Pilgrim, CBCO Media Relations, at 417-227-5000

CBCO declares state of emergency for local blood supply – emergency blood drive set for Friday at Freeman Business Center in Joplin

Winter weather severely limiting donation opportunities outside of fixed site donation centers – most area hospitals currently at less than optimum reserve levels

February 10, 2021 – Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the exclusive provider of blood for patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, is declaring a state of emergency regarding the local blood supply. Severe winter weather over the last two weeks caused almost all mobile blood drives to be cancelled, resulting in the loss of almost 1,000 potential donations. Eligible donors are strongly urged to give immediately at a CBCO donor center or blood drive near them.

Joplin area residents will have the opportunity to help bolster the blood supply at an emergency blood drive on Friday, February 19.

Emergency Blood Drive
Freeman Business Center – Conference Room
3220 S. McClelland Boulevard, Joplin
Friday, February 19 – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Donors may also give at CBCO’s Joplin Donor Center inside the Northpark Mall, 101 S. Range Line Road. Successful donors that give now through February 20 will receive a $10.00 gift card redeemable through the LifePoints Local donor portal at www.cbco.org. Successful donors will also receive a T-shirt with an inspirational message, while supplies last.

“The recent winter storm wiped out most of our blood drives over the last couple of weeks,” CBCO Executive Director Anthony Roberts said. “Now we’re challenged with building our blood supply back quickly over the next several days. I know that many blood drives in the Joplin area were cancelled due to the storm. Now is the time to help, either at this emergency drive or at CBCO’s Joplin Donor Center. I strongly encourage all eligible blood donors to give as soon as they can.”

Appointments are encouraged but not required for this event. Make your appointment to give online at www.cbco.org/donate-blood/.
On behalf of local hospital patients, CBCO thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.
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CBCO is actively seeking and scheduling emergency blood drives in areas not supported by a fixed site location. If you think you might have a suitable space to host a blood drive, either inside or on a CBCO bloodmobile, please contact the blood center at 417-227-5000.

Reserves of blood products are at less than one day levels
Most mobile blood drives cancelled for May, although a few remain
Blood center seeking locations in area for emergency drives

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood and plasma to patients at more than 40 area hospitals, is issuing a critical appeal for all blood types. Increased local usage and continued blood drive cancellations have combined to drop area reserves to less than one day levels for all blood types. Eligible donors are strongly urged to give immediately.

Most of the organization’s mobile blood drives for the month of May have been cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 3,000 donations were lost last month due to similar circumstances. While a few mobile blood drives remain on the schedule, it remains vitally important to continue to see increased donation levels at CBCO’s four donor centers.

“During the month of April, blood donors at our fixed site locations gave enough to get us through the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic,” CBCO Executive Director Anthony Roberts said. “But hospital usage was down significantly during that time, and now we are really challenged as hospitals increase their blood needs. We are still experiencing multiple cancellations of previously scheduled drives this month and a critical shortage is looming.”

“We have always been transparent in sharing our needs with the region. Our message now is simple and important. Area patients need blood now. We must do our part to help our friends and neighbors. Please help if you can and please give to the sole local provider of blood in the region.”

Appointments are strongly suggested so that social distancing guidelines can be maintained and for optimal donor flow. Donors may search for a drive coming to their area or make an appointment to give online at https://www.cbco.org/donate-blood/.

On behalf of local hospital patients, CBCO thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.