Rock River Valley Blood Center Makes Urgent Donor Appeal

The nation is facing a continued blood donation shortage that’s impacting the medical care of millions of Americans. Make no mistake, the problems the rest of the country is facing during this blood shortage are problems that the Rockford area has, too.

As we learned this morning from a conversation with the Rock River Valley Blood Center's (RRVBC) Chief Operating Officer Heidi Ognibene, the current blood shortage in our area could have a big effect if donations of blood don't start growing.

The Rockford Area Blood Shortage Could Impact Elective Surgeries

After more than a year of hospitals prioritizing care for COVID-19 patients, they’re now facing an influx of patients who postponed medical care earlier in the pandemic. On top of that, according to the Red Cross, hospitals are also “responding to a higher number of traumas and emergency room visits.” The Red Cross has seen the demand for red blood cells from hospitals with trauma centers increase by 10% in the last year.

American Red Cross:

Right now, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day, above the average target, to meet current hospital demand. It’s critical that we increase the number of blood donations to match the growing need for blood to ensure every patient receives the medical treatments they need without delay.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center Supplies Far More Than Just Rockford

Relying on donors from six counties in the Rock River Valley, including Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, and Stephenson counties in Illinois along with Rock County in Wisconsin, the RRVBC needs donations to keep up the supply to these area hospitals:

• Beloit Health System
• Edgerton Hospital and Health Services
• FHN
• Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside
• Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton
• Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Harvard
• Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center-Janesville
• Mercyhealth’s Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth
• OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
• Rochelle Community Hospital
• SwedishAmerican Hospital
• SwedishAmerican Medical Center – Belvidere
• SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Regional Cancer

Please Take An Hour Of Your Time To Give Blood To The RRVBC

They really do make it quick, easy, and painless. Click here to check out their website, where you can fill out their forms ahead of your visit to make things even smoother. Or, call 815-965-8751 to make an appointment to donate.