The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks says today's winter storm has prompted more Ozarks blood drive cancellations, adding to what was already a serious shortage of type O negative blood. As a result, CBCO is announcing a CODE RED ALERT on type O negative. The alert means there is less than a one-day reserve supply of type O negative blood available for patients at 38 Ozarks area hospitals.
The CBCO encourages all eligible blood donors, especially type O negative donors, to donate today at either CBCO Donor Center in Springfield. As a result of the Code Red Alert, the Thomson Donor Center is extending donation hours. These are today's hours for the donor centers:
- Thomson Donor Center, 220 W. Plainview Rd. – Open today from 9 am to 7 pm
- Reser Donor Center, 2230 S. Glenstone – Open today from 7 am to 1 pm
As an added incentive, type O negative donors that give through the end of the week at any CBCO drive will receive double LifePoints. LifePoints is CBCO’s donor rewards program.
“Since our very first winter storm last month, we’ve had a challenge keeping enough O negative blood on the shelf,” CBCO executive Director Anthony Roberts said.
Eligible donors must be at least sixteen years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. For more information or to locate a blood drive near you, click here.
