Published by Kirby Winn on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in News Releases
(May 25, 2022 | Davenport, Iowa) – ImpactLife is asking all eligible and potential blood donors to respond to a critical and urgent need for additional donations through the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend and into the first weeks of summer. Blood inventories have reached critical levels for type O-negative (a one-day supply) and are at less than three days for type O-positive. With projections for blood donations in the weeks ahead approximately 20 to 25% below the blood center’s weekly goal, additional appointments for whole blood and platelet donation are needed to help ensure a sufficient inventory of blood components for hospitals in our region.
To schedule, call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401, visit www.bloodcenter.org, or download the IMPACT mobile app at www.bloodcenter.org/app.
**UPDATE** // The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (of which ImpactLife is a member) has been activated in response to yesterday's tragic shooting at an elementary school in Texas. BERC centers that are on call this week are sending units of type O negative red blood cells to support patient needs at hospitals in the affected region. ImpactLife is not on call this week but can be asked for support at any time and is scheduled to be on call again next week in the 3-week rotation of BERC member centers.
The units of blood being shipped in the BERC activation will help replenish what was used in the immediate aftermath of yesterday's shooting. The response from BERC highlights the importance of having additional units of blood available for use in advance of any spike in blood utilization. //
“We are facing a critical and urgent need for donors of all blood types and donation procedures,” said Amanda Hess, Vice President, Donor Relations and Marketing. “O-negative – the universal blood type – is especially needed, along with platelets, which can come from donors of every blood type. We ask all donors to schedule appointments as soon as possible to help ensure we continue to meet patient need for the hospitals we serve.”
Donors help save lives![Lindsay Lococo]()
“Never underestimate the impact you will have on somebody battling this terrible disease.”
~Lindsay Lococo, recipient of 25 platelet and 11 red blood cell transfusions. The one-year leukemia survivor and blood drive host shares her story.
To meet ongoing patient needs and to respond to any spikes in blood utilization, ImpactLife seeks to maintain a consistent rate of blood donation year round. After donation, each unit of blood is tested, processed, and delivered through ImpactLife distribution hubs. These processes take approximately 24 hours to complete, so the blood center and hospitals work to keep a sufficient inventory “on the shelves” to avert blood shortages on an ongoing basis and in times of crisis, when hospitals may experience a sharp increase in patient need.
To thank those who schedule appointments at this critical time of year, ImpactLife will provide all presenting donors through July 10 with a voucher redeemable for the donor’s choice of a gift card or 500 bonus points to use in the ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store. (Gift card options include Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, Subway, Starbucks, and Walmart.) Learn more at www.bloodcenter.org/promotions.
Applicants Sought as Open Positions Contribute to Decrease in Collections
As with many employers, ImpactLife is experiencing staffing challenges, and the effect is especially acute on blood collection teams. “Operating with fewer staff means we have to evaluate all of our collection operations and shift resources to our most efficient and productive events,” said Pete Lux, Vice President, Donor and Patient Services. “We continually make adjustments to our schedules, but ultimately must fill our open positions to operate at an optimal level.”
ImpactLife offers competitive salary and benefits and provides extensive paid training in phlebotomy and laboratory positions. No prior medical or lab experience is necessary for some positions. Applicants of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply at www.bloodcenter.org/apply.
About ImpactLife
ImpactLife is a not-for-profit community organization providing blood services to 124 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as resource sharing partners across the country. Services extend from southcentral Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri and from Danville, Illinois to Chariton, Iowa. (See a map of the ImpactLife service region.) ImpactLife operates 22 Donor Centers and holds approximately 5000 mobile blood drives annually to provide blood components needed for patient transfusions at hospitals throughout our region.
For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube.
-end-