CBCO requesting donations as blood supply declines

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) is asking for help from the community to replenish their blood supply. The non-profit is experiencing an emergency need for blood, as their supply is at its lowest in 2 years.

CBCO supplies over 40 area hospitals in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas with blood for lifesaving transfusions for patients big and small. Jaimie Nix is a mother who witnessed this firsthand with her premature son.

Nix says her son was born seven weeks early, and he needed a blood transfusion to treat anemia while he was in the NICU.

“Having that blood he received, it was like this small glimpse of hope that I had during a stressful time,” Nix said. “And if that wouldn’t have been available, like know, you know, I can’t imagine because that, that hope I got meant everything to me.”

Her son’s experience in the NICU has inspired Nix to donate blood more frequently so far, she has given around five gallons. Nix says she doesn’t know what would have happened if there had been no blood available for her son or the other babies in the NICU.

“I also saw all the other tiny babies and then a few who had more life-threatening things,” Nix said. “And I just I can’t imagine if they didn’t receive the blood when they need to. It could be drastic.”

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is the only blood donation center that guarantees your blood goes back into the community. When people donate with other organizations, it takes away from their blood supply, which is one of multiple reasons why they are experiencing the emergency need for blood.

CBCO says a 10-year record high need for blood in May is another reason why their supply is so low. Summer is also a slow season for donations because many blood drives happen on college and high school campuses.

It’s why CBCO reaches out to the community and encourages people to donate at drives like Boots, Badges and Bandages in Christian County, a friendly competition blood drive between fire, police, and EMS.

“We want to be there to support our community and that other people want to support their friends and their neighbors as well,” said Aaron Heaton, Assistant Fire Chief at Ozark Fire Protection District. “And this is just one of many ways that you can get out in your community and support them and give back.”

CBCO says blood donations help all kinds of patients and 25% of the blood supply goes to help cancer patients in the region.

“If you’re eligible, come and donate. If you’ve never donated before, this would be a good time to start,” said Michelle Teter a spokesperson with CBCO. “It takes about one hour of your time to make a donation, but it could make an impact on a patient to have a lifetime of memories to get that transfusion and be on their way out of the hospital.”

You can make an appointment to donate with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks or find out when the next mobile blood drive will be happening near you by clicking here .

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