Community Blood Center of the Ozarks issues an emergency blood need

Winter weather disrupts blood collections across the region

JOPLIN, Mo. – Jan. 27, 2026 – Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at more than 40 hospitals in the region, is issuing an emergency blood need for all blood types.  Eligible donors are urged to give immediately at a CBCO donor center or mobile blood drive.

“While hospital blood reserves remain stable for now, recent winter weather has forced the cancellation of multiple blood drives, costing us the ability to collect 260 donations so far this month,” said Michelle Teter, Media Relations Representative for Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.

“If road conditions are safe for you to travel, we are calling on all of our Winter Weather Warriors to step up and donate. O-negative, A-negative, and O-positive donors are especially needed. Harsh weather may slow us down, but the need for blood never does. Whether you visit a CBCO donor center, or a local mobile blood drive, your donation ensures that lifesaving blood is available for patients who depend on it every day.”

Donors can give at one of four CBCO donor centers located in Joplin, Mo., Springfield, Mo., Bentonville, Ark., or Springdale, Ark. There are also opportunities to give at mobile blood drives across the Ozarks.

Appointments are strongly encouraged to help minimize wait times. Schedule online at www.cbco.org or call 417-224-5006.

All donors will receive a “Challenge Accepted” sweatshirt, while supplies last.

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.

On behalf of local hospital patients, CBCO thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.