Rock River Valley Blood Center Launches “Save a Life, Rockford” Blood Drive to
Replenish Critically Low Blood Supply
Rockford Police and Fire Departments Join Forces to Save Lives
ROCKFORD, Ill. (Jan. 26, 2026) – This week, our region is facing an extreme critical blood shortage due to unexpected delays in blood testing and nationwide power outages. In response, the Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) is teaming up with the City of Rockford and the Rockford Police and Fire Departments to host the first-ever “Save a Life, Rockford” Blood Drive – an urgent citywide effort to restore critically low blood supplies and protect patients across the region.
The event builds on the momentum of RRVBC’s popular Battle of the Badges summer event, carrying that same spirit of community unity and service into the winter months, when the local blood supply is most at risk.
“Save a Life, Rockford” will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., located at 727 1st Ave., Rockford. Rockford’s Police and Fire Departments will join forces to rally donors to also roll up their sleeves and give blood. This winter, the region’s blood supply has dropped critically low, and community leaders are coming together to ensure that every patient has the blood they need.
“Winter is one of the most challenging times for maintaining an adequate blood supply,” said Brian Carlson, of the Rockford Fire Department. “After seeing the overwhelming community support during the summer Battle of the Badges, we knew we had to bring that same energy during the winter months to help address ongoing shortages.”
“This is more than a blood drive. It’s a community response to a crisis happening nationwide,” said Lisa Entrikin, CEO of RRVBC. “Due to the storms and outages, securing blood units from other regions is very difficult right now. Our region’s blood shortage is more critical than ever, and it directly affects our ability to care for patients right here in our community. Every donation truly has the power to save lives.”
Community members are encouraged to join Rockford’s Police and Fire Departments, roll up their sleeves, and help patients across the region who depend on donated blood every day.
Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be scheduled online 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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