Blood Donors Are Desperately Needed in Rockford

As the wife of an emergency department employee, I know for a fact that warmer weather brings more injuries. After being cooped up inside all winter, or during a pandemic like current times, people tend to go a little crazy when finally released into outdoor freedom. The sheer joy of soaking up some sunshine makes people a little reckless, clumsy, too daredevil-ish, and this past weekend in the Stateline was no exception.

On Monday the Rock River Valley Blood Center issued an urgent plea for blood donors, specifically for O-Positive blood types, after a weekend full of traumas at local hospitals depleted their supplies. According to RRVBC's Facebook post;

We are asking anyone feeling healthy and well to please schedule a donation appointment as soon as possible, walk in to one of our four donor centers in Rockford, Belvidere, or Freeport to donate, or visit a mobile blood drive this week.

Restrictions related to COVID-19 are still contributing to the local blood supply issues. More than 100 blood drives have been cancelled since April, resulting in a loss of over 2,000 units of blood.

It’s especially worrisome that the O-positive supply is at critical levels because this type can be given to most patients, and about 39% of the population has the O-positive blood type. There is no substitute for blood – generous donors are the only source.

Making an appointment to donate blood is still preferred, which you can do right now by clicking here, but walk-ins are once again welcome as long as social distancing requirements can be followed at the donation center or blood drive you go to.

Catch Lil Zim on ‘Q98.5 Mornings with Lil Zim & JB’ on Q98.5 from 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook