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Labor Day weekend means for most people getting out on the lake and spending time with friends and family. But, workers at the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks say it’s a weekend that needs blood donations. KSMU’s Kristian Kriner reports.
Nurses at the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, or CBCO, say more people need blood over long weekends because accidents tend to happen when people are traveling.
To make sure there is enough blood for the long weekend, the CBCO is having a three day blood drive to prepare for the long weekend.
Chris Pilgrim is the marketing manager for the blood center.
He says it takes about 275 blood donations each day to meet the needs in Springfield.
“Every five minutes someone in an area hospital uses a blood donation that was provided by a Community Blood Center donor. So, it’s important that we have an ample supply of blood whether it’s a Saturday or a holiday, at night time or in the day time,” Pilgrim said.
He says right now they have enough blood for the next three days, but that won’t get them through the entire Labor Day weekend.
“We invite people to come in, give a blood donation. They’ll receive a tote bag and they’ll receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich. The real reason we are doing it is to make sure that the blood supply goes uninterrupted during that long weekend,” Pilgrim said.
The blood drive will be Thursday, September 3rd from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday September 4th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday September 5th from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both Community Blood Centers in Springfield.
They are located at 2230 South Glenstone and 220 West Plainview Road.
For KSMU News, I’m Kristian Kriner.