Arkansas Blood Institute
[ 404='404' ]Give Blood. Make it a Tradition.
The holiday season is a time to reflect on the importance of generosity and kindness. That’s why Arkansas Blood Institute is urging residents to start a new tradition, by sharing the priceless gift of blood donation.
Arkansas Blood Institute encourages healthy adults age sixteen and older to set aside about an hour from their busy schedules to give blood, to ensure that enough blood is available for area hospitals through the holidays.*
November 23 through December 31, 2018, each blood donor will receive a free, limited edition, long-sleeved holiday-themed t-shirt.
Arkansas Blood Institute currently is in serious need of O-negative blood donors. O-negative is the universal blood type, and can be given to any patient, regardless of blood type, in an emergency.
Appointments to give blood are not required but can be made by clicking here to search for blood drives in your area or calling (877) 340-8777.
Or you can stop by one of our donor centers in:
Fort Smith
Hot Springs
Little Rock
North Little Rock
Russellville
“Patients facing trauma, surgery, and those battling cancer or other life-threatening conditions, depend on blood so that they can spend precious time with their families,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “We’re blessed to be surrounded by giving people who respond when there is a need. Few gifts are more impactful than the gift of hope, healing, and comfort for local patients and their loved ones.”
One blood donation can save as many as three lives, and the supply for more than 40 hospitals statewide must be constantly renewed. If donors opt not to take the t-shirt, Arkansas Blood Institute will make a monetary donation to Global Blood Fund for blood center assistance in developing countries.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Arkansas Blood Institute Thanks & Recognizes Those Who Serve
November, 2018 ─ Arkansas Blood Institute invites military supporters to recognize the brave individuals who serve our country this Veterans Day by making a life-saving blood donation.
On Monday, November 12, the day our nation observes Veterans Day, donors who give blood at any Arkansas Blood Institute donor center will have the opportunity to write a letter of gratitude to an active military serviceperson to ensure that those who serve know their sacrifices are appreciated. Donors will also receive camouflage arm wraps to mark the importance of Veterans Day.*
Arkansas Blood Institute has five donor center locations statewide:
Fort Smith, 5300 South “U”
Hot Springs, 149 Section Line Road, Suite G
Little Rock, 101 South Shackleford Road, Suite 2
North Little Rock, 4548 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 6
Russellville, 1003 West Main
Arkansas Blood Institute is committed to providing life-saving blood necessary to treat our nation’s veterans and active service members.
Arkansas Blood Institute proudly supplies blood products to VA medical centers in Little Rock, Oklahoma City, OK, Muskogee, OK, and Amarillo, TX. In just the last year, Arkansas Blood Institute has also fulfilled orders for four branches of the U.S. military at the following installations: Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City; Langley AFB in Hampton, VA; Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS; Elemendorf-Richardson AFB in Anchorage, AK; Lackland AFB and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX; Womack Army Hospital in Fort Bragg, NC; and the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA.
Military installations in Arkansas, including Little Rock AFB and Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, and National Guard bases, also help ensure an adequate blood supply for hospitals in the region by hosting regular blood drives.
“Our dedicated volunteer donors, many of whom are veterans of war and active military members, know the importance of giving blood regularly,” said John Armitage, president & CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “We deeply value the heroes who served, or are currently serving, our country. Providing blood to our military is not only our duty, but we are proud to make it a critical part of our life-saving mission.”
Blood can be donated every 56 days, platelets can be given as often as every 7 days up to 24 times a year, and plasma can be donated every 28 days. Each blood donation can save up to three lives. Donors may forgo their t-shirt and funds will be donated to Global Blood Fund.
Through the work of Global Blood Fund, Arkansas Blood Institute helps to strengthen blood programs for U.S. allies around the world. Donated equipment and training give America’s friends in places such as Laos and Cambodia greater capabilities to respond to civilian and military injuries from terrorist or foreign attacks.
Arkansas Blood Institute is part of the nation’s 6th largest, independent, nonprofit blood collector. Appointments to give blood are not required but can be made by calling 877.340.8777 or clicking here.
*To donate blood, 16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year-olds must weigh at least 110 pounds
Arkansas Blood Institute Pioneers First-of-its-Kind Donor Recognition Program
LITTLE ROCK, Aug. 2, 2018 – Whether given or received, words of gratitude can be powerful.
To harness the power of a simple “thank you,” Arkansas Blood Institute has pioneered Thank-The-Donor™, the nation’s first web-enabled technology that connects blood recipients with their donors while complying with medical privacy laws.
With this patent-pending technology, patients can send a note, photo or video to their donor using a smartphone, tablet or computer. The groundbreaking program breaks communication barriers with a new and different way to share a “thank you” while protecting the anonymity of both donor and patient.
“Few patients who receive donated blood ever know or have the opportunity to offer their gratitude with their blood donors,” said John Armitage, M.D. president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “Thank-The-Donor™ conveniently facilitates uplifting connectedness between a blood donor and recipient.”
Baptist Health in Little Rock was one of the first hospitals to launch the program earlier this year. Now, a green, heart-shaped tag is affixed to every blood bag from Arkansas Blood Institute, encouraging recipients or their families to visit ThankTheDonor.org.
“Every three minutes in Arkansas an ill or injured patient requires a blood transfusion,” said Dr. Armitage. “Every drop of blood we provide comes from volunteer donations. Thousands of selfless Arkansans give this gift of life every year. While they don’t do it for the recognition, we hope this program will help show our donors just how special their donation is for the patient who receives it.”
Patients who receive blood products like red cells, plasma and platelets can use the Thank-The-Donor™ technology to express their appreciation to their donor. Ben Evans needed blood from more than 40 donors during a life-threatening health crisis that left him hospitalized for 60 days. He takes every opportunity he can to thank his blood donors for their priceless gift.
“Without those blood products, I wouldn’t have made it. 42 units of blood means a lot of people took an hour out of their day to help a complete stranger,” said Evans. “I have had the opportunity to give blood twice since receiving it as my way of paying back those that gave me the chance at life—by ‘Paying it Forward’.”
Arkansas Blood Institute is part of the sixth largest nonprofit blood collector in the United States, serving more than 40 hospitals and medical facilities in Arkansas.
To learn more about Thank-The-Donor™, please go to ThankTheDonor.org.
Donors Needed After Houston-area High School Shooting
May 18, 2018 - Our thoughts and prayers are with Sante Fe, Texas, in the wake of Friday’s school shooting.
Arkansas Blood Institute has been asked to assist by sending O-negative blood units to blood centers in the Houston area. Although we have been requesting help from donors recently to supply our own hospitals, we must stay prepared to provide resources in the event of a tragedy like this.
We are urging our donors to help by giving blood. Together we can take care of our patients and support our neighbors.
Appointments to give blood are not required but can be made by clicking here to find a blood drive near you or calling (877) 340-8777.
Or click on one of our donor center locations below:
North Little Rock, 4548 John F. Kennedy Blvd
Russellville, 1003 West Main
Fort Smith, 5300 S. U St.
Hot Springs, 149 Section Line Road, Ste. G
Little Rock, 101 South Shackleford Road, Ste. 2
Global Blood Fund Receives $25,000 Donation to Fight Bleeding Deaths
April 30, 2018- Global Blood Fund (GBF), a 501(c)(3) charity founded in 2008 with support from Arkansas Blood Institute received a generous $25,000 donation from Terumo BCT to combat the world transfusion crisis.
Terumo BCT, a global leader in blood component, therapeutic apheresis and cellular technologies, is committed to advancing blood safety throughout the world.
The donated funds will be utilized for various projects to improve transfusion care in emergent nations. Among its programs, GBF re-homes donated blood banking equipment, delivers and sponsors training programs, and supports efforts to reduce the stark inequalities in access to safe blood that exist between higher- and lower-income countries.
“We are very grateful to Terumo BCT for its leadership in supporting better transfusion care for the majority of people across the globe who cannot be assured that blood will be available for them when it is needed,” said John Armitage, M.D., CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute and Chair of GBF. “This gift will help fight the annual deaths of hundreds of thousands of women hemorrhaging during childbirth and young children under age five succumbing to malaria, injuries, other afflictions.”
Since its inception in 2008, GBF has supported transfusion-related initiatives in more than 40 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. In 2017, the value of equipment donated approached $2 million and included multiple bloodmobiles sent to Africa and Mexico. Other recent endeavors include pan-African donor management workshops run in collaboration with the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) and the opening of a rural blood bank in Laos.
“Terumo BCT and the Global Blood Fund share a commitment to serving patients by unlocking the potential of blood across the globe,” said Michael Lees, Terumo BCT, Vice President, Commercial, North America. “We are honored to support GBF’s work serving those patients most in need, in parts of the world that are still developing their blood transfusion capabilities across Africa, Latin America and Asia. Terumo BCT is proud to support GBF’s work to directly improve patient’s access to safe blood around the world.”
The Global Blood Fund is a US and UK registered non-profit with a mission to improve the safety and availability of transfusion care in resource-poor communities worldwide. Since 2008 it has provided equipment and training to build donor recruitment and collection capacity so that blood can save lives wherever and whenever it is needed. Please visit globalbloodfund.org for further details.
Terumo BCT, a global leader in blood component, therapeutic apheresis and cellular technologies, is the only company with the unique combination of apheresis collections, manual and automated whole blood processing and pathogen reduction technologies. We believe in the potential of blood to do even more for patients than it does today. This belief inspires our innovation and strengthens our collaboration with customers. Learn more at terumobct.com.
Arkansas Blood Institute Issues Urgent Call for Donors
February 22, 2018 – Winter weather that battered neighboring Oklahoma this week is critically impacting the supply of life-saving blood. Arkansas Blood Institute is asking donors of all blood types to give blood as soon as they can to help our friends in Oklahoma.*
“The urgency for patients is going to continue for the next several days until our inventory rebounds,” said Dr. John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “We know we can rely on our donors who have the reputation of having a heart for helping neighbors in need.”
Due to the urgency of the situation, Arkansas Blood Institute has extended its hours at its donor centers in Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Hot Springs. The centers will be open until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23 and until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. Donors can also give at any mobile drive. Search for drives in your area by clicking here.
As a non-profit blood center, Arkansas Blood Institute’s volunteer donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 40 hospitals statewide.
Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Arkansas Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or clicking here.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Flu Epidemic Impacting Blood Supply, Healthy Blood Donors Needed Now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ─ The flu epidemic affecting Arkansas is negatively impacting the blood supply. Because so many of our regular donors are ill, or taking care of sick family members, they’ve been unable to give blood. Additionally, the widespread flu is forcing some school closures, and parents are unable to keep their blood donation appointments. All of this puts even more strain on the blood supply.
Arkansas Blood Institute is urging all healthy adults, ages sixteen and up*, to give blood. Blood donors who have been diagnosed with flu should wait seven days since their last symptoms to give blood. Donors may give blood the same day they receive a flu vaccine.
Beginning February 1st, all Arkansas Blood Institute blood donors will receive their choice of a new, trendy t-shirt in one of three featured colors, “Strong” olive, “Bold” maroon, or “Fearless” teal. 
“The flu has hit our state particularly hard, but the need for blood remains constant, and there is no substitute,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “That’s why we are calling on all donors who are able to give blood, or those who have never given before, to stop by one of our donor centers or mobile blood drives. If you have recovered from the flu, or been unaffected by it, we urge you to use your good health to save lives today.”
Only ten percent of people in the United States who are eligible to give blood actually do. Blood donation takes only about an hour, and each donation can save the lives of up to three patients.
As part of the nation’s 9th largest non-profit blood center, Arkansas Blood Institute serves more than 40 hospitals and medical facilities statewide. Appointments to give blood aren’t required but can be made by calling 877.340.8777 or clicking here to schedule online.
Be sure to like and follow Arkansas Blood Institute on Facebook for more information on the flu and blood donation:
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year-olds must weigh at least 110 pounds
Paulette Nieuwenhof Inducted As Honorary Commander of Little Rock Air Force Base
January 22, 2018 - Paulette Nieuwenhof, Executive Director of Arkansas Blood Institute, was recently inducted as an honorary commander of the Little Rock Air Force Base. She has been assigned as the 314th Airlift Wing Honorary Vice Commander and has been partnered with Colonel John M. Schutte. Nieuwenhof was inducted during a ceremony on January 4, 2018.
The Team Little Rock Honorary Commanders Program is designed to maintain close working partnerships with the base’s civilian neighbors in order to increase public awareness and understanding of the base mission, policies and other programs. To do this, base leadership is partnered with civic leaders from the surrounding community.
Civilian participants are nominated from a cross-section of community businesses and organizations. Nominees are selected because their position or influence in the community can positively impact public support for the base. Arkansas Blood Institute holds frequent, successful blood drives with the Little Rock Air Force Base, to serve blood needs in the region.
“I’m looking forward to serving as an Honorary Vice Commander of the 314th Airlift Wing. This is an opportunity for me to learn more about the men and women of the Little Rock Air Force Base,” said Nieuwenhof. “It’s an honor to partner with my unit commander, Colonel Schutte, and to create an alliance that will benefit the local community and the state.”
Arkansas Blood Institute, part of the 9th largest non-profit blood center in the United States, serves more than 40 hospitals and medical facilities statewide, including UAMS, CHI St. Vincent, and Baptist Health Medical Center in Central Arkansas. Blood donor centers are located in Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Fort Smith. In addition, donor centers in Russellville and North Little Rock previously operated by American Red Cross, will open February 19, as Arkansas Blood Institute.
Arkansas Blood Institute Now Serving All of Central Arkansas
Little Rock, AR, January 2, 2018—Arkansas Blood Institute and the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks- Arkansas Region have formed an operational alignment to serve the blood donors and blood drive sponsors of Central Arkansas. Effective January 1, 2018, the Red Cross discontinued blood collections in Central Arkansas, and transferred its Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Russellville based blood recruitment and collections activities to Arkansas Blood Institute.
Both Arkansas Blood Institute and the Red Cross believe this collaborative solution will best serve patient needs in Central Arkansas by more efficiently and effectively utilizing blood center and community resources. Arkansas Blood Institute, with the support of the Red Cross, is committed to continuing reliable blood collections in Central Arkansas.
“Arkansas Blood Institute is focused on the needs of the patients and donors we serve in the Central Arkansas region,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “This cooperative effort will ensure a robust supply of blood for area hospitals.”
“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood and we urge donors in Central Arkansas to continue giving for patients in need,” said Rich Feliciano, Red Cross vice president of Business, Development and Integration. “As this transition moves forward in the new year, Arkansas Blood Institute has the full support of the Red Cross. Our collective goal is to ensure donors, sponsors and volunteers continue to serve their community.”
In Central Arkansas, donors who currently give the gift of life with the Red Cross are asked to give blood at Arkansas Blood Institute drives beginning January 2, 2018. The following changes will take effect on that date:
• Red Cross blood donor centers in Russellville and North Little Rock will operate as Arkansas Blood Institute donor centers, and open to the public in mid-February of 2018.
• Red Cross blood collection services at the Little Rock location will transfer to the Arkansas Blood Institute donor center at the corner of Markham and Shackleford, which is now open Monday through Saturday to serve donors’ needs.
• Red Cross requests that all organizations which currently host blood drives transition their life-saving efforts to Arkansas Blood Institute on the same timeline.
The Red Cross will maintain its Greater Ozarks- Arkansas Blood Region collection operations in the north and northeastern part of Arkansas, as well as in southwestern Missouri. The Red Cross continues to collect blood and platelet donations at its donor centers in Mountain Home and Jonesboro.
The changes in blood services will not affect the ongoing commitment of the Red Cross to serve Central Arkansas during times of personal and natural disaster. Disaster services, services to military members, veterans and their families, and health and safety education programs will continue to be offered through the Red Cross chapter in Central Arkansas as always.
Arkansas Blood Institute, part of the 9th largest non-profit blood center in the United States, has operated blood donation centers in Fort Smith and Hot Springs since 1958. Its Little Rock donor center opened in October 2015. As the leading blood provider in Central Arkansas, Arkansas Blood Institute serves Baptist Health Medical Center, CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Heart Hospital and all other major hospitals in Little Rock.
To donate blood or to set up a blood drive, donors or organizations may contact Arkansas Blood Institute at 1-877-340-8777 or visit arkbi.org.
Unprecedented Flooding, Hurricane Harvey Prompt Immediate Need for Blood Donors
(Updated) August 28, 2017 ─ Catastrophic flooding in Houston and the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey are prompting Arkansas Blood Institute to issue an immediate call for blood donors of all blood types. Blood centers in Houston and other affected areas are unable to collect blood, and Arkansas Blood Institute is taking part in the nationwide relief effort to help shore up the life-saving blood supply.
Arkansas Blood Institute has already sent 300 units of blood and 25 units of platelets to areas affected by flooding, and has been asked to provide 400 more units this week. This can only be done if generous donors step up and become part of the disaster response. A major problem blood centers in Southeast Texas are facing is transporting blood to hospitals. Arkansas Blood Institute is working with a Dallas-based blood center to help transport the blood to hospitals and patients who need it.
“Blood centers affected by this disaster could be shut down for days or weeks,” said John Armitage, M.D., President and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “Arkansas Blood Institute is ready to help our neighbors dealing with this unprecedented flooding in Houston, and we know that we can count on our donors to make the commitment to give blood or platelets.”
Donors can give blood at Arkansas Blood Institute’s donor centers in Fort Smith at 5300 S. U Street; in Little Rock at 101 S. Shackleford Rd.; in Hot Springs at 149 Section Line Road, or at any mobile blood drive.
Arkansas Blood Institute is joining blood centers across the U.S. in the flood relief efforts, as part of AABB’s Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism, which ensures safe and adequate blood product inventories are in place at all times in preparation for disasters and assesses the need for collections and/or transportation of blood should a disaster occur.
Arkansas Blood Institute is part of the 9th largest, non-profit blood center in the United States. It relies solely on volunteer blood donors each day to serve more than 30 hospitals and medical facilities statewide.
Appointments to give blood aren’t required but can be made by calling 877.340.8777 or booking online.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year-olds must weigh at least 110 pounds