The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) is facing a critical shortage of O-negative and O-positive red blood cells and is urging eligible donors to give blood as soon as possible.
Several factors have contributed to the shortage, including increased demand from local hospitals and an anticipated dip in collections with donor centers and mobile drives closed on Memorial Day. These challenges have created an urgent need for all eligible Type O donors to step forward.
Key Details:
- Increased hospital usage among trauma and surgical patients.
- Seasonal decline in donations due to school events and travel.
- Reduced collection opportunities with upcoming holiday closures.
“Type O blood is universally transfusable in emergencies, and right now, our supply is dangerously low,” said Lisa Entrikin, CEO of RRVBC. “We’re asking the community to come out and donate to help us meet the needs of patients in our local hospitals.”
Donors are encouraged to visit any of the Rock River Valley Blood Center’s fixed donor centers from now through Memorial Day. To accommodate the urgent need, all centers will be open on Saturday, May 24.
Donor center hours for Saturday, May 24:
- Perryville Donor Center, 3065 N. Perryville Road, Rockford, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Longwood Donor Center, 461 N. Longwood St., Rockford, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Freeport Donor Center, 461 E. South St., Freeport, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
First-time donors should bring a photo ID. To make an appointment, visit www.rrvbc.org or call 815-965-8751. Walk-ins are also welcome.