The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) announced today the organization was able to provide enough blood to local hospitals to treat all patients injured in the wake of deadly storms over the weekend.
Because of committed donors, RRVBC was prepared to supply units as soon as they were needed.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of Friday night’s storms. said Heidi Ognibene, RRVBC Chief Operating Officer. “Thank you to every donor who has donated in the past several weeks. You truly saved lives Friday night and through the weekend. You made the difference for our local hospitals treating patients injured in the storms by ensuring we had enough blood available. This is why blood on the shelves saves lives.”
Disasters such as severe weather events often force the cancellation of drives, which can impact the local blood supply. Low donor turnout also occurs in these affected areas as communities recover from storm damage.
RRVBC is calling on all eligible community members to schedule a donation to help maintain an adequate blood supply as we enter storm season. RRVBC needs to see 800 donors per week as the only provider of blood products and services to 13 regional hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Donating blood is simple. On the donation day, a donor care specialist will take the individual’s vitals (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin), and each person must complete an eligibility questionnaire before they can sit back and relax while giving. The donation itself only lasts about 10 minutes. Refreshments await after donating.
First-time donors should bring a photo ID. Individuals can donate a single unit (whole blood donation, the most common type) every 56 days. Students can donate once they turn 16 years of age and must have signed parental consent.
To schedule a donation, click here, call 815-965-8751 or use the myRRVBC app.
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.
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