With the 4th of July next week and summer in full swing, the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is working to entice residents to donate before they get too busy. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
The CBCO covers a wide area across Southern Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. In all 40 counties and 44 hospitals.
To meet the area's needs the not-for-profit requires 200 daily donations One reason for the drop in blood supplies is that 40% of donations originate at high schools and colleges which are on summer break. Michele Teter of the CBCO tells us another reason for the low summer blood supply.
“Even people who maybe are normal donors, they might be on vacation, or traveling so they are not as consistent during the summer. And the need does go up of hospitals over the holiday. During the summer people are on the road more traveling.”
To entice new and regular donors the CBCO is holding a special one-day drive on Monday, July 3 at their Joplin, Springfield, Springdale, and Bentonville centers.
Donors will receive a voucher to redeem a free gift from one of 10 partner breweries. A coupon for a treat from Dairy Queen, Culver’s, or Hiland Dairy. And a “Chillin’ in the Ozarks” T-shirt and pint glass.
All four donor centers are open Monday from 8 am until 2 pm. They are closed on the 4th of July.
For 89 9 KRPS News, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro
