March 2022 Special Events

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is hosting a pair of special blood drives to honor the victims of two tragic events in Springfield, Missouri. The CBCO is inviting all eligible Springfield-area donors to share a moment of remembrance and community strength by giving blood at our Springfield donor center.

The Unite Springfield blood drive will be held on Tuesday, March 15, the two-year anniversary of a tragic gas-station shooting in which Springfield police officer Christopher Walsh and three others lost their lives and others were injured. For each blood donation received, the CBCO will donate $5 to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks – 3/15 Relief Fund.

On Friday, March 18, CBCO will hold the fifth annual Blood Drive to Honor Aaron Pearson, a Springfield police officer who was shot in the head while on duty in January 2015. Pearson received 20 units of blood from CBCO donors and survived.

Both drives will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Springfield donor center located at 220 W. Plainview Road.

While supplies last, donors will receive:

• A quarter-zip CBCO pullover
• A Boots & Badges T-shirt honoring first responders
• A coupon for a free order of queso from Los Cabos Mexican Grill in Springfield

Make your appointment now!

Appointments are strongly recommended at all CBCO blood drives. Click the link below to book yours!

Need help? Call 417-227-5006 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to secure your spot.

Your donation makes a difference.

Officer Pearson needed 20 units of blood during an emergency surgery and his subsequent recovery. Thanks to CBCO donors, he’s alive today. You can help someone, just like those donors helped an injured young father, husband, and law enforcement officer.

“I like to imagine the donors huddled around Aaron, giving him their blood. I can just imagine him lying there and 20 people circled around him, giving. That’s pretty powerful because they had no idea who he is or where it’s going, but they give anyway.” — Amanda Pearson, wife of Springfield police officer Aaron Pearson

Give the gift of life in honor of those who lost theirs.

For every blood, plasma or platelet donation made during the Unite Springfield drive on March 15, the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will donate $5 to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks – 3/15 Relief Fund. The fund provides financial assistance to the family members of the deceased, injured and others who were directly affected.

“There are few times communities come closer, or crumble more completely, than the days following a crisis. Even when our world crumbled, this community joined hands and held us together. With many big and small acts of kindness, we survived our crisis as an extended family. We are forever grateful. Almost two years later, the CBCO memorializes the tragedy we faced. The Unite Springfield event reminds us that the world moves forward but we don’t forget what we lost along the way. And it embodies the idea that small acts of kindness can save lives. My family and I look forward to this blood drive all year.“ — Sheri Walsh, wife of Springfield police officer Christopher Walsh