Winter Weather Disrupts Blood Donations — Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Urges Community to Give

(Joplin, MO) – Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the exclusive supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 45 area health care facilities, reports that winter weather is currently hindering local donation efforts. Several area blood drives were canceled, and more cancellations are expected in the coming days.

CBCO reports that while local hospital blood reserves remain stable for now, the impending winter weather could lead to widespread blood drive cancellations, quickly straining the supply. Michelle Teter, CBCO Media Relations Representative, urges eligible donors to give before the next storm hits. “Recent winter weather forced multiple blood drive cancellations and even closed our Joplin donor center on a scheduled operating day, resulting in the loss of 250 units of blood,” said Teter. “With more winter weather in the forecast, we need community members to step up now to help replenish our blood supply. If the roads are safe for you to travel, we encourage all winter weather warriors to step up and give. Your donation ensures local hospitals have the lifesaving blood patients rely on.”

Extra Winter Weather Promotion

Donate at CBCO Donor Centers in Bentonville, Springdale, and Joplin:

Friday, February 14

• Joplin (Joplin Donor Center at 101 N. Range Line Road) – 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Bentonville (Bentonville Donor Center at 1400 SE. Walton Boulevard) – 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Springdale (Springdale Donor Center at 3503 S. Thompson Street) – 7:00 am to 1:00 pm

Monday, February 17

• Joplin (Joplin Donor Center at 101 N. Range Line Road) – 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Bentonville (Bentonville Donor Center at 1400 SE. Walton Boulevard) – 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Springdale (Springdale Donor Center at 3503 S. Thompson Street) – 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

Donors will receive:

• A cozy fleece plaid blanket
• A limited-edition CBCO hoodie
• A chance to win up to $56,000.000 in VISA gift cards, when they register to participate in the 56-Day Challenge.

Donors can schedule an appointment here or by calling 417.227.5006. However, extra staff are scheduled to accommodate walk-in donors.

About Community Blood Center of the Ozarks:

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is the exclusive provider of blood, plasma, and platelets to patients at 44 area Ozark hospitals in southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas, and southeast Kansas. More than 50,000 donations of blood are required each year to meet the local transfusion needs of our friends and neighbors.

Reference: 

Michelle Teter, Media Relations Representative
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks
417.227.5367