Rock River Valley Blood Center Invites Community to February Blood Drives
From Rockford to Beloit, donors to share the love by giving the gift of life
ROCKFORD, Ill. (February 4, 2026) – The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC), the region’s sole provider for blood products, will host two community blood drives in February to strengthen the local blood supply.
The “Drive for Life” Blood Drive, held in partnership with Bryden Motors and 99.9 WJVL, will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bryden Motors, 548 Broad St., Beloit, Wisconsin. As a thank you for giving, successful blood donors may receive one of the following:
- A free T-shirt
- A chance to win Milwaukee Brewers tickets
- Free Culver’s custard
- Nothing Bundt Cakes Bundlets
- A chance to win WM Spa gift cards
The RRVBC will also partner with Lou Bachrodt Auto Dealership for the 30th annual Straight from the Heart Blood Drive on Friday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7070 Cherryvale North Blvd., Rockford. During this event, two donors will be selected to win a date night package courtesy of Franchesco’s Ristorante, Don Carter Lanes, and Event Floral.
“Our blood supply is critically low, and local patients are depending on us right now,” said Lisa Entrikin, CEO of the Rock River Valley Blood Center. “We urgently need donors to step up and give. A single donation can help save multiple lives, and these drives are an important opportunity for our community to make an immediate difference.”
Walk-ins are welcome at both events. To reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to schedule appointments in advance at rrvbc.org. First-time donors should bring a valid photo ID.
About Rock River Valley Blood Center
The Rock River Valley Blood Center is your community blood center and is the only provider of blood products and services to Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton, Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center-Janesville, Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center-Harvard, Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center-Walworth, Mercyhealth Hospital and Physician Clinic-Crystal Lake, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital, UW SwedishAmerican Carbone Cancer Center, SwedishAmerican Medical Center-Belvidere, Beloit Health System, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, FHN-Freeport and Rochelle Community Hospital. The center has four convenient donor centers in Rockford, Freeport, and Belvidere, and the ability to support up to three mobile drives a day. The Rock River Valley Blood Center ensures that the right blood type is available at the right time for local patients whose lives may depend on it. Patients and their families rely on individuals to provide life-giving red blood cells, plasma, and platelets through blood donation.
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