Ozarks Healthcare and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks invite Donors to Step Up to the Plate

Springfield Cardinals fans and local lifesavers have an exciting opportunity to step up to the plate and make a difference during the 21st Annual Bleed Red Blood Drive, brought to you by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) and the Springfield Cardinals. The drive is making its way across southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas – including a stop at Ozarks Healthcare.

Donors who give blood during this year’s Bleed Red Blood Drive will walk away with more than the good feeling of saving lives. While supplies last, all successful donors will receive:

• A limited-edition “Bleed Red” Springfield Cardinals baseball shirt
• Two free general admission tickets to any Springfield Cardinals home game in June or July 2025 (visit cbco.org/baseball for date exclusions and full details)

Appointments are encouraged to minimize wait times, but walk-ins are always welcome.

To schedule an appointment, visit https://donor.cbco.org/index.php/drive-list or call 417-227-5006.

Be Prepared to Donate

To ensure a smooth and successful donation experience, donors are asked to:

• Hydrate with water or juice the night and morning before donating
• Eat a healthy, balanced meal 2–3 hours before donation
• Bring photo identification, which is now required for all donors

Every seven minutes, someone in the Ozarks needs blood. The CBCO is the sole provider of blood, platelets, and plasma to more than 40 hospitals - including Ozarks Healthcare. A single blood donation can help up to three people in need of life-saving care.

Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.