KSHE'S BIG SUMMER BLOOD DRIVE WEEKEND IS HERE!
The big weekend of the KSHE 2026 Summer Blood Drive is underway on both sides of the Mississippi River near St. Louis! Many of us have gotten to know rockstar KSHE donors, as we see them year after year at the summer and winter blood drives.
While all KSHE Summer Blood Drive donors receive the sought-after limited-edition 2026 T-shirt, this year we have a new item to feature! We designed a rockin' KSHE bandana, exclusively available to those who recruit a first-time ImpactLife blood donor - and that first-time donor as well! Additionally, all donors will be entered in a drawing for a pair of tickets to see Guns N' Roses at Busch Stadium on August 16, 2026. One winner will be selected from each of the KSHE Summer Blood Drive locations. That’s 13 winners!
Donation events like KSHE are crucial to keeping a fresh supply of blood on the shelves at the hospitals we serve, especially during the critical summer months!
Attending any of the drive locations? We'd love to see your photos and videos! Send them our way at 2-Marketing@impactlife.org, and they may end up on our social media pages!
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY WITH INVITA
Good thing happen when we team up to save lives.
This week, we were pleased to welcome InVita, one of our industry partners, to our Davenport headquarters to share updates on the latest advancements in blood industry software solutions. During their visit, our teams had the opportunity to discuss their current and upcoming products, as well as explore conversations about the evolving needs of blood centers and healthcare organizations. The collaboration provided valuable insights into how innovative technology continues to strengthen operations and improve the delivery of our lifesaving products and services.
The visit reinforced our shared commitment to supporting the critical work of the blood industry, and offered an exciting look at the future, with the goals of enhanced efficiency and improved data management. We appreciate the time their team invested in meeting with us, and we look forward to continuing our partnership as we work together to make an impact.
MONARCH EMS BEGINS PRE-HOSPITAL TRANSFUSION
Monarch Fire Protection District, in St. Louis County, is the latest EMS group to get on board with our pre-hospital blood transfusion program. Monarch EMS personnel will now carry units of blood we provide out into the field when responding to trauma calls.
KMOV First Alert 4 reported on our pre-hospital blood transfusion program launches at Monarch and St. Charles County Ambulance District.
Pre-hospital transfusion buys patients precious minutes if they are in need of a blood transfusion. This represents the future of EMS care, and units like Monarch are taking the proactive next step: making sure they have blood available on the scene of emergencies.
A LIFESAVING PARTNERSHIP: OSF SAINT KATHARINE MEDICAL CENTER
Earlier this year, OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon, Illinois, became one of our newest service hospitals, expanding access to lifesaving blood products for patients in the Sauk Valley region. The partnership is already off to a strong start, with the hospital hosting two successful drives and several more already on the calendar. Every donor who gives at these drives is helping ensure local patients have access to the blood they need, close to home.
To further strengthen our relationship, we had a chance to sponsor the OSF Saint Katharine Foundation Golf Outing at Timber Creek Golf Course yesterday. Four team members were on the course, while staff connected with golfers and community leaders at an information table on the first hole. Talk about a prime spot! It's another great example of how our teams build partnerships that extend beyond the hospital doors and into the communities we serve.
CELEBRATING LIFESAVING DONATIONS WITH DEB
For Deb, giving blood is more than a simple act of kindness. It’s a way to celebrate life, and to help others face their own challenges. Now nine years cancer-free, Deb knows firsthand how important hope, compassion, and the generosity of others can be during difficult times.
Deb is a longtime donor at our Muscatine, IA, donor center, where she donates in honor of her granddaughter, Chloe.
Thank you, Deb, for your years of lifesaving donations, your inspiring resilience, and your commitment to Putting Good into the World. Your generosity is a powerful example of how one person can have a lasting impact on our community.
We're always on the lookout for great donor photos and stories! Send them our way at 2-Marketing@impactlife.org!
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Kirby Winn
Public Relations Manager | Davenport, IA
![Kirby Winn, Public Relations Manager | Davenport, IA]()
Time at ImpactLife
18 years
Blood Type
A Positive
What runs through your veins?
This time of year? Lactic acid, barbecue, and gratitude for good health, family, friends, and my wonderful colleagues at ImpactLife!
What's your favorite thing about being part of our team?
I appreciate the opportunity to share the stories of people who help others by supporting our mission, whether as co-workers, blood donors, blood drive sponsors, or volunteers.
When you are not at work you can be found?
Often on a bike ride or trail, but just as frequently seated in an auditorium to see my wife or one of our daughters perform in a musical or concert. And sometimes, in Baseball Heaven, aka Busch Stadium. BIRDS!