The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) is excited to announce the launch of a new campaign in honor of the organization’s 70th anniversary.
In an effort to recruit donors to fill the local blood supply, RRVBC has a goal of adding 7,000 new donors in 2023.
“Right now, about 16,000 people in our region donate blood regularly, which is extremely low for a region of our size,” said Lisa Entrikin, Chief Executive Officer at the Rock River Valley Blood Center. “We are in an ongoing crisis and we need to continue to replenish and maintain our blood supply for months to come. We urge everyone in the community to commit to donating this year.”
One out of every seven patients entering a hospital needs blood, but fewer than 5 percent of Americans are donors. Locally, that number is even less with just 3 percent of the eligible population giving. These numbers need to increase in order to ensure we have blood available when patients need it. RRVBC needs to see 800 donors per week to supply blood to 13 hospitals in the region.
Community members are encouraged to schedule an appointment to donate blood if they never have before and return donors are encouraged to ask friends or family members who have never donated before to give blood.
In addition to the year-long campaign for new donors, RRVBC is encouraging community members to donate blood in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and MLK Day of Service.
“What better way to serve local patients than by saving someone’s life,” said Heidi Ognibene, Chief Operating Officer at the Rock River Valley Blood Center. “Each time you donate you can save up to three lives in our community.”
Individuals feeling healthy and well are encouraged to schedule a donation appointment at rrvbc.org, on the myRRVBC app, or by calling 815-965-8751. Walk-ins are also welcome at one of the four RRVBC donor centers in Rockford, Belvidere, or Freeport, or at a mobile blood drive.
Organizations also are encouraged to call about hosting blood drives to help support the community need.
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 Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton, Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Harvard, Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center-Janesville and Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, SwedishAmerican Hospital, SwedishAmerican Regional 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, Belvidere, and Freeport 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.
About ADRP
ADRP educates and empowers over 800 blood banking professionals worldwide who are committed to donor recruitment, donor experience and donor management by providing a forum for networking, professional development and resource sharing.
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