FREEPORT - Rock River Valley Blood Center continues to deal with a blood shortage, leading to another urgent call for donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give.
Donor traffic is down approximately 13 percent over the last four weeks, resulting in about 350 fewer donations than expected. Cold and flu season has hit this area hard and is impacting the ability of donors to donate.
All eligible donors are encouraged to make and keep donation appointments.
There also is an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, burn victims and bone marrow recipients, must be transfused within five days of donation, so it's important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.
Every day this month, blood donors will receive an online coupon for a free medium one-topping pizza or cheese sticks from Papa John's. Donors also are entered automatically to win one of six grand prizes including pizza for a year.
Blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Individuals who are 17 years of age or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 815-965-8751or visit rrvbc.org.
Donor traffic is down approximately 13 percent over the last four weeks, resulting in about 350 fewer donations than expected. Cold and flu season has hit this area hard and is impacting the ability of donors to donate.
All eligible donors are encouraged to make and keep donation appointments.
There also is an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, burn victims and bone marrow recipients, must be transfused within five days of donation, so it's important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.
Every day this month, blood donors will receive an online coupon for a free medium one-topping pizza or cheese sticks from Papa John's. Donors also are entered automatically to win one of six grand prizes including pizza for a year.
Blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Individuals who are 17 years of age or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 815-965-8751or visit rrvbc.org.