Community Blood Center Issues Critical Appeal for All Blood Types

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the exclusive supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, is issuing a critical appeal for all blood types.

The center says blood reserves are low, with less than a two-day supply available.

CBCO Executive Director Anthony Roberts says while many have had to deal with nationwide shortages of everything from toilet paper to formula due to various factors, a community blood shortage is not the same.

“While people are used to having to find alternatives to products that are in short supply, we cannot do the same with blood,” Roberts said. “There is no alternative. And the great news is there is a plentiful supply of blood in our area. We just need people to share it.”

Roberts says it’s easy to donate, only takes about an hour out of your day to be somebody’s hero, and the blood center is counting on community heroes to step up and make a local difference for our local patients.

Eligible donors are asked to give immediately at a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive or donor center.

Donors can give in Springfield at the Thompson Donor Center at Campbell and Plainview, with centers also located in Joplin and Springdale, Arkansas.

There are also opportunities to give at mobile blood drives across the Ozarks.