Rock River Valley Blood Center Needs Your Help Heading Into the Holiday Weekend

At the Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC), they're always in need of donors. As the primary supplier of blood and blood products to our entire region, the RRVBC needs a steady supply of blood donors to meet the huge demand. In summertime, that demand is even greater.

To ensure an adequate summer blood supply, Rock River Valley Blood Center is asking healthy individuals to donate blood leading up to the July 4th Holiday. Both Whole Blood and Platelet Donors are Needed. ALL BLOOD TYPES ARE NEEDED.

Our good friend, Jennifer Bowman, RRVBC's Marketing and P.R. Manager:

The Fourth of July is always a challenge. We will be closed on the holiday and many of our donors are traveling or busy spending long weekends with family and friends. Our hospitals and trauma centers often have increased traffic and patient blood use during the summer. The blood must be ready to go when the calls come in, but we can’t do it without blood donors.

Regardless of what you may have heard about donating blood, donating blood is safe and simple. You are most likely able to donate if you are at least 17 years old (16 year olds may donate with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in general good health. Persons taking medications are not necessarily disqualified.

The people are really nice, the process is smooth and easy (and, almost completely painless), they give you a nice snack and something to drink afterwards, and you're helping to save people's lives. All of that makes it a winning proposition.

There are four community donor centers throughout the area (Belvidere, Freeport, Rockford) as well as many mobile blood drives. Log on to www.rrvbc.org for hours, directions, and mobile blood drive schedules. Or, call 877-778-2299.