Appointments are strongly encouraged to manage donor flow. To schedule your appointment, call 417-227-5006, or go to www.cbco.org/donate-blood.

Community Blood Drive 

Ozarks Healthcare is partnering with the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) to host the return of the 56-Day Blood Donation Challenge in 2026, giving community members the opportunity to save lives while earning chances to win exciting prizes.

Eligible donors can give blood every 56 days, and those who commit to donating throughout 2026 could win up to $56,000 in VISA gift cards. The challenge is presented by the Adam Swenka Team at Flat Branch Home Loans and Ozarks First News and is bigger than ever this year.

Donors are encouraged to begin the challenge by giving blood at an Ozarks Healthcare–hosted CBCO blood drive or CBCO donor center in January or February. All successful donors during this kickoff period will receive a free limited-edition 56-Day Challenge sweatshirt, while supplies last. January and February donors who sign up for the challenge will also be entered for chances to win VISA gift cards. The more times donors give blood in 2026, the more chances they have to win.

The next Ozarks Healthcare blood drive will be held Friday, February 20, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Willard Hunter Classroom at 1211 Porter Wagoner Blvd. in West Plains. Appointments are encouraged to minimize wait times, though walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment, call 417-227-5006 or visit www.cbco.org/donate-blood. Full challenge details and official rules are available on the CBCO’s website.

The CBCO is the sole provider of blood, platelets, and plasma to more than 40 hospitals across northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri, and southeast Kansas, including Ozarks Healthcare. Someone in the Ozarks needs blood every seven minutes, and one blood donation can help save up to three lives.

Donors are reminded to drink plenty of fluids, eat a well-balanced meal prior to donating, and bring a valid photo ID, which is required for all donors.

With more opportunities to donate and more chances to win, Ozarks Healthcare encourages the community to start 2026 by making a lifesaving commitment through blood donation.

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.