CBCO, or Community Blood Center ofthe Ozarks, the sole provider of blood, plasma and platelets to the area, has stated that amidst nationwide shortages they’re functioning strong, but would like to see more donors to secure the local blood supply.
Michelle Teter, the Media Relations Specialist for CBCO, spoke to us about the situation, stating that numbers are currently 20% lower than average for 2026, with O negative blood being a particular need. You can listen to their statement below, or read the below statement.
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is the exclusive provider of blood, plasma, and platelets to patients at more than 40 area hospitals in southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas, and southeast Kansas. More than 60,000 donations of blood are required each year to meet the local transfusion needs of our friends and neighbors. For more information, visit CBCO.org
The Surgeon General’s warning reflects exactly what we’re seeing here in our region. This summer, donor turnout at our mobile blood drives is down about 20 percent, and that means fewer blood products available for local hospitals. Blood has a short shelf life, so when donations decline, hospitals can feel the impact very quickly.
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is currently experiencing a low supply of O-negative blood and is urging all eligible donors to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. While donations of all blood types are needed every day, O-negative blood is in especially short supply and is often used in emergency situations when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type. Every blood donation helps ensure local hospitals have the lifesaving blood patients depend on when every second counts.
When you give blood with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, your donation helps support local hospitals and local patients (and can save up to three lives!). Your gift makes an enormous impact on lives across the Ozarks. To find a CBCO Donor Center or mobile blood drive near you and to make an appointment go to www.cbco.org.
Additionally, if you would like to find a blood drive that will take place in the listening area in the near future, see below to see if one will be near you.
