Otter Give Blood: Ozarks Healthcare and CBCO to Host Upcoming Blood Drive

Ozarks Healthcare is encouraging community members to roll up their sleeves and help save local lives at its upcoming blood drive with the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO). The drive will be held Friday, Oct. 23, from noon to 6 p.m. at Ozarks Healthcare's Willard Hunter Classroom, Parkway Center, 1211 Porter Wagoner Blvd.

This October's campaign comes with an extra incentive: “You Otter Give Blood!” Through October 31, successful CBCO donors will receive, while supplies last, a “You Otter Give Blood” T-shirt and a voucher redeemable for two free admissions to Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, a $38 value.

The CBCO is the sole provider of blood, platelets and plasma to more than 40 hospitals throughout northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas. Across the Ozarks, someone’s friend, family member, coworker, neighbor or loved one needs blood every seven minutes. One blood donation can help as many as three patients.

Appointments are encouraged to help minimize wait times, although walk-ins are welcome.

To schedule an appointment, call 417-227-5006 or visit: www.cbco.org/donate-blood. 

Donors can help ensure a smooth donation experience by: drinking plenty of water or juice the night before and morning of the drive, eating a well-balanced meal approximately two to three hours before donating, and bringing a photo ID, which is required for all donors.

Donors are encouraged to make an appointment today and help strengthen the local blood supply.

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.