The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) is experiencing a critical shortage of O-negative blood and platelets and urgently needs community support to replenish supplies. Several factors have contributed to the shortage, including extremely high usage to several O-negative patients, low platelet collections last week, delays in testing due to weather disruptions, and a temporary transition to paper-based donor recruitment after a software upgrade.
Key Details:
- Critical Blood & Platelet Shortage: Platelet collections were significantly low last week, and several O-negative patients with extremely high usage caused blood supplies to be dangerously low.
- Delays in Testing: Due to severe weather in the South, testing of blood donations were delayed for three days.
- Recruitment Software Transition: RRVBC is currently using paper lists for donor outreach, and online scheduling for donations is unavailable until the end of January.
RRVBC urges eligible donors to visit one of its centers or blood drives to help meet the immediate need. Every donation is crucial to ensuring that patients in local hospitals receive the life-saving blood they depend on.
First-time donors should bring a photo ID. Whole blood donations can be given every 56 days.
To schedule an appointment or get information about blood drives near you, call 815-965-8751. Walk-ins are welcome.