Donate blood, platelets or plasma this week and receive a free plant
To encourage folks to help increase the summer blood supply, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is hosting the Grow Give Blood Drive, a week-long promotional event.
As of Monday, blood, platelet and plasma donors may choose a free plant from a variety of botanicals, including succulents to hanging baskets. The Grow Give Blood Drive runs through Saturday, July 17, or until supplies last, at the Don Thomson Donor Center.
The donor center, located at 220 W. Plainview Road, is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Michelle Teter, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks media relations representative, said there are about 150-175 plants available, as of Monday afternoon.
There are two reasons why summer months are challenging for the local blood supply, Teter explained.
First, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks receives 40% of their supply from high school and college blood drives. And second, hospitals experience more blood transfusions during the summer due to tragedies.
"After a holiday weekend, everything is about all of these accidents and tragedies that happened, so blood usage is up," Teter said. "We hope these plants serve as a reminder of the donor's generous gift of life and the impact they've had on the lives of their friends, family and neighbors."
Teter added that Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is always looking for folks to donate O negative blood, as its the universal blood type.
In addition to the Grow Give Blood Drive, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is hosting a month-long promotion, Let's Save a Life. This promotion runs through July 31.
According to the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks website, all blood, plasma and platelet donors receive a free "Let's Save a Life" t-shirt, automatic entry into mystery prize drawings and 1,000 LifePoints.
LifePoints are a part of Community Blood Center of the Ozarks' reward program. Donors receive a set amount of points each time they donate blood, plasma or platelets. These points can be redeemed online for various prizes.
To register for the LifePoints rewards program, visit cbco.org/lifepoints/.
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks encourages folks to schedule an appointment ahead of time to reduce wait time, but walk-ins are welcome.
To schedule an appointment, call 417-227-5006 or visit cbco.org/donate-blood/.
According to the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks website, anyone who is at least 16 years old, weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good health may give blood every 56 days.
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is the sole supplier of blood, plasma and platelets to patients to 44 healthcare facilities in both southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Grow Give Blood Drive: Donors asked to help 'grow' summer blood supply
