Two Weeks Worth Celebrating
Next week, we are recognizing two groups who make everything we do possible.
It is National Volunteer Week, and without the volunteers who give their time to our mission, none of this works. From assisting donors at blood drives to delivering lifesaving products to hospitals and supporting our team behind the scenes, our Vital to Life volunteers show up in ways that matter every single day.
It is also Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, a chance to recognize the skilled team members who test, process, and release every unit of blood before it ever reaches a patient. Their work is quiet, precise, and absolutely critical.
This week belongs to both of you. Celebrate by sending your team photos to 2-marketing@impactlife.org. We would love to feature them on social media and in next week's Feel-Good News!
Planting Seeds for the Next Generation
Some conversations change the way a young person sees the world forever.
Yesterday, we headed to Assumption High School in Davenport to connect with students during Donate Life Month. Iowa Donor Network set up an information table to educate them about organ donation, and several speakers were on hand to talk with students face to face about what it truly means to receive the gift of life.
Blood donation and organ donation go hand in hand, and getting young people to understand both early is how we build a lifelong community of donors. Assumption's students got a front row seat to that message yesterday, straight from people who lived it.
Four Years of Reds for Rich
Blood gave the Gansheimer family ten more months with Rich. Now they give it back every year.
Last week marked the fourth annual Reds for Rich blood drive at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and School in Springfield, held in honor of Rich Gansheimer, who passed away from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2021. During his treatment, Rich depended on countless whole blood and platelet transfusions, and his family once drove three and a half hours round trip just to find an adequate supply of his blood type.
That experience lit a fire. Nobody should ever have to do that again. Four years later, Reds for Rich is their answer. We shared Rich's story a few months back, and are proud to continue contributing to his legacy.
Kieran's Legacy Lives On
Some families turn grief into something that saves lives.
In August of 2021, Victoria and Dustin Meyers lost their son Kieran to complications from CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple organ systems. Throughout his life, Kieran depended on blood transfusions to keep him going. As Victoria put it, "even outside of surgeries, he was very anemic a lot of the time and needed blood transfusions frequently while he was in the hospital."
Rather than walk away from that pain, the Meyers family leaned into it. Every year since, they have hosted a blood drive in St Louis in Kieran's honor, giving back to the community that showed up for their son and making sure other families have what they need when it matters most.
Spring Has Sprung in Springfield
Our Springfield administration building opened its doors to the community for the annual Spring Eggstravaganza, and it was a great one!
Families came out for an egg hunt for kids, face painting, games, and refreshments! Adult door prizes were drawn from registration, and our lobby was filled with booths from some amazing community partners. At least 175 people were in attendance, with tables including representatives from Gift of Hope, Life Goes On, Saving Sight as well as the Springfield Jaycees.