Despite wintry weather making its appearance across the Ozarks this week, Ozarks Healthcare and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Blood Drive (CBCO) will proceed to host their planned blood drive this Friday, Feb. 19, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Willard Hunter Classroom in the Ozarks Healthcare Parkway Center at 1211 Porter Wagoner Boulevard in West Plains.
Due to the icy weather and other CBCO blood drive cancellations earlier in the week, over 600 blood donations were lost, causing the organization’s blood supply to be low. The CBCO is the exclusive provider of blood, platelets, and plasma to all local hospitals, including Ozarks Healthcare.
“We encourage all those in our area who can safely travel to donate this Friday to do so,” Karlee Marvin, Ozarks Healthcare Education Supervisor, said. “Our community has a collective heart of generosity. Any donations collected Friday will help boost our local blood supply and could potentially save the lives of friends, family, and loved ones.”
Appointments are strongly encouraged to be made ahead of Friday’s drive. To schedule your appointment, call 417-227-5006 or go to www.cbco.org/donate-blood.
Before the blood drive, donors are asked to take a few steps to ensure that donations operate smoothly on the day of the drive:
- Drink plenty of water or juice the night and morning before you donate.
- Eat a well-balanced meal around 2-3 hours before giving.
- Bring your photo ID – Photo ID is now required for all donors.
Face masks are required for this blood drive. To learn more, visit www.cbco.org.
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