Ozarks blood inventory at historic low. Center seeks immediate donations

The Ozarks' sole supplier of blood, platelets and plasma to area healthcare facilities is encouraging eligible donors to give blood immediately, according to a press release. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks says that blood inventory levels are at a historic low, with a less than one-day supply available.

The CBCO has not experienced a shortage like this in over two years, according to Michelle Teter, CBCO media relations representative.

In Springfield, donors can give at the CBCO center, 220 W. Farm Road 182, or during mobile drives . Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 417-227-5006 or online at www.cbco.org . Donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and may not have given blood in the past 56 days.

The shortage has the potential to impact both local hospitals.

“When emergencies happen, the need for blood is critically important for us,” said Dr. Sadaf Sohrab, chief medical officer for Mercy Springfield Communities, in the press release. “Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is facing emergency blood needs due to severe local blood shortages. CBCO is Mercy Springfield Hospital’s local blood supplies, and our patients receive the blood products they need from blood donors who donate with CBCO. I encourage eligible donors to donate with CBCO this week to help with the emergency need.”

“In critical situations, access to an adequate blood supply can be lifesaving,” said Max Buetow, president and CEO of CoxHealth, in the press release. “The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks provides essential blood products for our patients, and I encourage everyone to donate blood and support this vital cause. Your donation can make a significant difference for the communities we serve.”

All donors in July will receive a plush "Chillin in the Ozarks" beach towel while supplies last.

What is donated blood used for?

According to the American Red Cross, someone needs blood in the U.S. every two seconds. Patients of all ages use donated blood, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients and cancer patients.

There are various types of blood donations:

• Whole blood , which is where the vast majority of blood and blood components come from. Whole blood donors may donate one unit of whole blood every 56 days, according to CBCO, and one donation can help as many as three people.
• Double red cell donation , which uses a processes called apheresis to harvest red blood cells and return platelets and plasma to the donor. Double red cell donation allows donors to give enough red blood cells for two transfusions in a single visit. Since donors give twice as many red blood cells during this donation, they can donate every 112 days.
• Apheresis donations allow people to give specific blood components like plasma or platelets. Platelet donations can only be made at the Springfield CBCO center, while plasma donations can be made in Springfield or Springdale, Arkansas. Plasma can be donated every 28 days. Platelets can be donated every days, up to 24 times per year.

For subscribers: Drone route could solve delivery speed dilemma for organ donor samples

Your blood is made of three components: Red blood cells, platelets and plasma. They all have different uses.

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are frequently given to trauma and surgery patents, according to the American Red Cross.

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding, and can only be stored for five days after donation. More than 8,000 platelet apheresis donations are needed in the Ozarks yearly. Cancer patients, organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, trauma patients and patients undergoing open heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive, according to the CBCO.

Plasma is part of your blood that is made mostly of water and proteins, which help your body control bleeding and infection. It's easily replenished, so donors can give plasma every 28 days. Plasma is used by burn, trauma and cancer patients.

Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks blood inventory at historic low. Center seeks immediate donations