Giving for the Greater Good at St. Louis Jewish Community Blood Drive
When a community rolls up its sleeves together, St. Louis feels unstoppable.
Our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Daniela Hermelin joined community members last Sunday at the 2026 St. Louis Jewish Community Blood Drive at Young Israel Synagogue in University City. With more than 60 appointments made, the day was a strong reminder of what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose.
This blood drive has been a cornerstone of the community for 17 years, thanks to the dedication of blood drive coordinators Dr. Robert “Bob” and Judy Hellman. Their inspiration began in 2005, after a Passover sermon at Young Israel delivered by a visiting spiritual leader, their son, Rabbi David Hellman. Moved by his message, Bob and Judy set out to create a chesed project that could benefit the entire community, and in January 2008, they hosted the first Jewish Community Blood Drive.
Partnerships like these help keep blood on the shelves for the St. Louis area hospitals we serve, and they make a real difference for patients who need lifesaving blood every day.
IT'S A LIFE THING: MLK Jr. Day of Service
It’s a blessing to be a blessing.
Beginning Monday, Terrence “TAT” Taylor is hosting an in-center blood drive at our Decatur Donor Center for the MLK Day of Service, and we are featuring a new video with his story and message.
TAT is a community advocate and the official DJ for Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball and Football, and he says donating blood is one of the most meaningful ways to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of service.
His call to action is simple. Show up, donate, and inspire someone else to do the same. Because service is not a one time thing. It is a life thing. Be sure to check out bloodcenter.org/mlk for all the details!
Blooducation Baristas: "Blood on Board: The Future of EMS Care"
Blood is hitting the road.
Blooducation Baristas is back, and it’s relaunching as a joint effort between our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Daniela Hermelin and ImpactLife to spotlight the people, partnerships, and progress shaping the future of transfusion medicine.
Our latest episode, published Tuesday, “Blood on Board: The Future of EMS Care,” takes a closer look at one of the biggest shifts in emergency medicine right now: prehospital transfusion.
In this episode, Dr. Hermelin is joined by co-host Bryant Morrison (Content Marketing Specialist) and special guest David K. Tan, MD, EMT-T, FAEMS, Chief Medical Officer of the St. Charles County Ambulance District, for a conversation on what it means to carry blood on ambulances and why it matters.
Together, they share how having blood available in the field is changing trauma response, helping patients sooner, and saving lives before they ever reach the hospital.
Click here to watch the episode.
Leading The Way: Eureka-Goodfield EMS
On Monday, Eureka-Goodfield EMS took delivery of blood for the first time, marking a major step forward for emergency care in Illinois. They are one of (if not the!) very first ground ambulance service in the state to carry blood, helping ensure patients can get lifesaving treatment even sooner.
“We are truly honored and excited to be the first ground-based EMS service to carry blood in Illinois,” said Eureka-Goodfield EMS Division Chief Randy Wolfe. “This milestone reflects Eureka-Goodfield EMS’ commitment to innovation and patient care. Carrying blood on our ambulances allows our medics to deliver critical lifesaving care sooner, closing the gap between rural emergencies and definitive care for the entire region.”
We are excited to welcome Eureka-Goodfield EMS as a new partner as they lead the way in bringing blood directly to the front lines.
"Good karma for our community" at Mount Vernon High School
Mount Vernon High School is proving that a successful blood drive can keep giving long after the last appointment ends.
After collecting 46 units at their November blood drive, the Student Humanitarian Society helped secure a LifeSavings Grant for the school. Before winter break, Mount Vernon received their grant, and on January 8, student Carrington Bybee delivered it to Nicole McAlexander, Executive Director of the Southeast Linn Community Cener in Lisbon, Iowa at the Southeast Linn Community Center.
“Helping to run our blood drive was extremely rewarding knowing we were recruiting community members to save lives,” Carrington said. “I also found this feeling only compounded when we donated our grant back to the community that came together to help people. We saw a chance to put good karma for our community, so we took it.”
Mount Vernon High School has been hosting blood drives twice a year since at least 2012, showing what consistent commitment can look like when students and staff come together to support patients and strengthen their community.