CBCO Blood Drive

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 44 area Ozark hospitals, is encouraging donors to give blood to help ensure a strong blood supply before the Labor Day holiday weekend and get some great gifts during the Fuel, Food, or Film Blood Drive.

Donate blood at a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks donor center on Friday, September 1, and receive two free admissions to the Dickerson Park Zoo, then choose from one of three additional fun rewards. Pick either:

• FUEL: Fuel your Labor Day weekend adventures with a $10 Casey’s gas card.
• FOOD: Grab a meal on the road with a $10 Sonic gift card.
• FILM: Enjoy a $10 Fandango movie voucher, redeemable at most area movie theaters.

The drive will be held Friday, September 1 at all four Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Donor Centers in Joplin, Springfield, Bentonville, and Springdale. Donation hours for the Fuel, Food, or Film Blood Drive are:

Joplin – Joplin Donor Center, 101 N. Rangeline Rd. 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

All donor centers will be closed Monday, September 4, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Area hospitals are also asking those in the community to make the time to give blood. “We depend on the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks throughout the year, but the need for blood increases around holidays such as Labor Day. A person hurt in a car accident can require as many as 100 units of blood,” said Paula Baker, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Freeman Health System. “Blood can be manufactured only by the human body, and that’s why we depend on volunteers to roll up their sleeves. We encourage everyone to donate as often as possible.”

To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment at www.cbco.org/fun/ or by calling 417-227-5006.