Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) is the local provider of blood for patients at 40 area hospitals in southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas and southeast Kansas. Sick and injured hospital patients depend on CBCO donors to provide the lifesaving blood they need.

Type O Negative, A Positive in short supply

Current inventory levels include a three-day reserve for most blood types, except for types O Negative and A Positive, which are currently at less than a two-day supply.

On average, a transfusion takes place every seven minutes and around 220 donations are needed each day to meet the area’s blood needs. You can help by giving blood at this upcoming blood drive: Church of Christ, 302 E. Hospital Road, El Dorado Springs, 1:30-6 p.m. Thursday, May 18.

Each donation will be awarded LifePoints as a part of CBCO’s donor rewards program.  LifePoints may be redeemed online for a variety of gift cards, or points may be assigned to other meaningful causes or charities.  More information on the LifePoints donor rewards program may be found at www.cbco.org.

To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and present a valid photo ID.  For more information about sharing your good health with others, please visit our website atwww.cbco.org, or call toll-free 1-800-280-5337. Thank you for giving life to your community.