SPECIAL FEATURE: Blood Collectors Week 2026
We celebrate Blood Collectors Week each year to honor our dedicated women and men who are our essential connection between donors and patients. From phlebotomists and apheresis operators, to technicians, drivers, and so many others, their hard work and dedication help ensure a safe and adequate blood supply is always available for patients in need.
- Barb Digmann, Manager, Donor Services: “Thank you all for your support and dedication to our mission.”
- Chris Higgins, Manager, Donor Services: “Happy Blood Collector's Week 2026 from the Springfield/Macomb team. Thank you to this AMAZING team for what you do every day!”
- Courtney Jones, Director, Training and Development: “What a great time to celebrate all DS staff – including the support teams who help make the work happen! I’m proud of the work the DS Training Team does each day to support our mission and the impact they have on DS staff!”
- Katie Boley, Manager, Donor Services: “Thank you for all that you do each day!”
Our incredible donor services staff display professionalism and skill every single day - and we are so proud they're part of our team! Check out some fun photo collages our team managers have put together!
International Awareness Day for Donor Recruitment
International Blood Donor Recruitment Professionals Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of every September! We're grateful for those who connect us to our donors as the first point of contact, and are responsible for inspiring, educating, and engaging individuals to donate. Their commitment to building relationships guarantees the supply of blood in our community, and communities across the country.
- Emily Roebuck, Manager, Programs and Communications: "My team impacts our mission by championing every donor’s journey, celebrating their lifesaving impact through meaningful communications and programs, and inspiring a lifetime of giving."
- Lori Arguello, Director, Marketing & PR: “My team impacts our mission by amplifying our brand, telling powerful stories, building meaningful connections, and inspiring action that transforms lives.”
- Tara Matheson, Director, Donor Recruitment & Engagement: "My team impacts our mission by connecting with our donors, creating meaningful experiences, and ultimately, getting more people through the door to give blood. Through exceptional customer service, creative communication, innovative donor programs, and lifesaving appointment scheduling, every interaction helps strengthen our blood supply and ultimately impacts patients’ lives."
Corpuscle Shuffle 5K - Two Weeks Away!
We're just two weeks away from the 8th Annual Corpuscle Shuffle! For team members in the Quad Cities region, we're offering a chance to check out the course in advance.
- 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays: Sept. 23, and Sept. 30
- Meet near the start/finish line (north parking lot at ImpactLife HQ)
- Any pace — run, jog, walk, or shuffle -- welcome!
- We'll tour the course together, either the 1-mile out and back route or continuing with the 5K loop through nearby neighborhoods. Pace and distance is entirely up to you! This is a chance to stretch your legs with co-workers and see what that Corpuscle Shuffle route is like.
The 5K and 1-mile run/ walk is set for 9 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 3 when we'll hit the city streets near our headquarters in Davenport. Following the race, everyone heads to the nearby Five Cities Brewery for our awards ceremony and post-race party. Five Cities opens early for our event, offering a breakfast that's included with your race entry (scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos, hash browns, fresh fruit). All ages are welcome, but for those 21+ Five Cities will pour a free beer with your race number, and they're offering one dollar off Bloody Marys.
With the support of our sponsors and race registrations, the Corpuscle Shuffle annually raises more than $20,000 towards the blood center's LifeSavings Grant program, a key element of our outreach to the next generation of blood donors.
More info and race registration is available at www.bloodcenter.org/5K
Want to help as a volunteer? Sign up here!
Beau's Big Game
Talk about a big win!
To celebrate Beau’s first birthday, we threw a bit of a tailgate party last Thursday for Beau’s Big Game blood drive, bringing our community together for a cause that hits close to home.
Beau faced several medical complications during his first year, giving him and his family a firsthand understanding of just how important blood donation can be. Every transfusion represents another chance to grow and celebrate another milestone, like turning one!
We’re grateful to the donors who helped make Beau’s first birthday a celebration with an impact that goes far beyond the end zone. Here’s to Beau, his first trip around the sun, and all the lifesaving victories still ahead!
Liquid Gold Golden Ale with Obed & Isaac's
Raise a glass for a great cause!
Next week, on September 26th from 5pm-8pm, we will be celebrating our partnership with Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery with launch parties being held in Springfield and Peoria to introduce Liquid Gold, a refreshing golden ale. A portion of the proceeds will go to OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois – Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute. Learn more about our partnership with Obed & Isaac's by clicking here!