Status of blood supply in ImpactLife service region

Published by Kirby Winn on Monday, September 11, 2023 in News Releases

ImpactLife has noted news coverage about the blood supply in national media outlets today, so we are sharing the following information with reporters in our service region of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin (see www.bloodcenter.org/hospitals).

As of this morning (Monday, Sept. 11, 2023) , ImpactLife has less than a 3-day supply of both type O-negative and O-positive red blood cells. Type B-positive red blood cells are at a 1.5-day supply and type B-negative is at a 3.5-day supply. Platelet donations from all blood types are also greatly needed, as platelets must be used within just 7 days of collection.

With recent hurricane activity in the southeast and today's remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we are mindful that it is always the blood donations that are "on the shelves" prior to a crisis that make the greatest difference in disaster response. While donation rates are beginning to improve with the beginning of the new school year, ImpactLife would ideally have a 5- to 7-day blood supply for all blood types; type O and type B remain below those levels.

To find a nearby ImpactLife donor center location or mobile blood drive, see www.bloodcenter.org, call (800) 747-5401, or use the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app). 

ImpactLife Donor Rewards: Sept. 11 through Oct. 31, 2023

• Whole blood donations: $10 gift card OR 500 bonus points for ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store
• Platelet, plasma, or double red cell donations: $25 gift card OR 1500 bonus points for ImpactLife Donor Reward Store
• First or second time platelet donation: $50 gift card OR 3000 bonus points for ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store
• First lifetime registration with ImpactLife (donor center locations): $50 gift card OR 3000 bonus points for ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store

ImpactLife is now offering a new Donor Frequency Program with additional rewards for donors who meet frequency milestones. Donors who make three or more donations within the calendar year will receive an additional $25 e-gift card OR 400 bonus points for the ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store. Additional bonuses also apply for platelet and plasma donors who reach 6, 12, and 18 donations per year.

The Frequency Milestone Program helps underscore the importance of scheduling donations throughout the year, helping the blood center avoid periods of low inventory during the summer months and during the holiday season. 

For more information on ImpactLife Donor Rewards, see www.bloodcenter.org/now.

About ImpactLife
ImpactLife is a not-for-profit community organization providing blood services and emergency services providers 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-