Flu surge leaves local blood supply low – CBCO offering incentives

JOPLIN, Mo. – (Jan. 6, 2026) – Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at more than 40 area hospitals, is in need of type O blood. 

Rising flu cases across southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas and southeast Kansas, are taking a toll on the blood supply. Illness is preventing many regular donors from giving, leaving CBCO facing a shortage. Healthy, eligible donors are urged to give at a CBCO donor center.

CBCO is launching an “Extra, Extra” promotion to help boost the local blood supply. Donors who give at one of four CBCO donor centers located in Joplin, Mo., Springfield, Mo., Bentonville, Ark., or Springdale, Ark. between Tuesday, January 6 and Sunday, January 11 will receive extra rewards:

• A CBCO sweatshirt

• Cozy, Fleece Blanket 

• Chance to win up to $56,000 in VISA gift cards, when they give blood and register to participate in the 56-Day Challenge

Flu season often leads to a drop in blood donations as illness temporarily disqualifies many regular donors. With cases climbing across the region, CBCO is seeing fewer appointments and lower turnout, at a time when hospitals continue to need a steady supply of blood for surgeries, trauma care, and cancer treatments.

While all donor types are encouraged to give on a regular basis to avoid shortages, type O blood and negative blood types are especially needed right now. Every donation helps ensure that patients in local hospitals have access to the lifesaving blood they depend on.

"Flu season often impacts blood donation, but the current outbreak is impacting donations during the already challenging holidays,” said CBCO Media Relations Representative, Michelle Teter. If you are healthy and able to donate, please schedule an appointment this week. Your donation could make the difference for someone in need of lifesaving care."

Appointments can be schedule at www.cbco.org or by calling 417-227-5006. Walk ins are welcome.

Donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and may not have given blood in the past 56 days.