Donating Blood, Organs and Tissue in 417-Land

Blood

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks supplies blood for patients at 40 area hospitals. “The need for blood is just relentless,” says Chris Pilgrim, the center’s Media Relations Representative. The center is also prepared at any time for a natural disaster—it has a three-day “reserve supply,” as Pilgrim puts it. The center also can receive blood from the American Blood Center, and the Community Blood Center gives to the organization from time to time as well. To find out how you can donate blood, head to cbco.org and click “Donate” to find a drive near you.

Eyes

Cox Medical Center South is a leader in eye donation, and has been recognized by its collaboration partner Saving Sight for a 2016 Excellence in Eye Donation award. Cox South is one of the largest hospitals the organization works with. In 2017, Cox had 218 donors that resulted in 161 tissues made available for cornea transplants, according to data supplied by Saving Sight. Those numbers are up from 2016. Annie Kuhl, Chief Communications Officer of the eye bank, praised Cox’s ability to work with families of the deceased in facilitating donation and talking them through the process. 

Organs and Tissue

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, if you are an adult, an emancipated minor, or a minor who can apply for a driver’s license, you can register to donate your organs or tissues. Fill out a registry form at health.mo.gov/living/organdonor, or complete and mail in a paper copy.