Published by Kirby Winn on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in News Releases
ImpactLife is announcing changes to the blood center’s Donor For Life Program, an initiative that rewards blood donors who give blood multiple times in a calendar year. The updated program offers increased rewards as donors reach certain milestones, making regular donations even more worthwhile.
“With our Donor Rewards program, the goal is to increase the overall frequency of donations and promote stability of the blood supply,” said Tara Matheson, Director, Donor Recruitment and Engagement. “When donors are giving multiple times a year, we’re establishing consistent patterns of donation that help us avoid shortages and maintain a strong and stable blood supply for patient care.”
To book an appointment for blood donation, please call (800) 747-5401, or schedule online at www.bloodcenter.org or via the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).
HOW IT WORKS
Within 48 hours of each donation, donors receive an email with the subject line “Your Recent Donation.” The message includes a link to order a thank you gift: the donor’s choice of an electronic gift card, a charitable donation, or points to use in the ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store. Donors who select charitable donations will receive information on how to select a charity from a curated list of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (see below).
Rewards apply equally to donations made at ImpactLife donor center locations or mobile blood drives, with the value increasing as donors give blood more frequently throughout the year. A stairstep approach provides boosted rewards at the 2nd, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th donation in a calendar year.
Non-Deferred Donation Count in 2026
(All WB/DRBC/PLT Procedures) |
Gift Value (Gift Card / Donation) |
Gift Value (Points) |
| 1 |
$20 |
1,000 |
| 2 |
$40 |
2,000 |
| 3 |
$30 |
1,500 |
| 4 |
$30 |
1,500 |
| 5 |
$50 |
2,500 |
| 6 |
$40 |
2,000 |
| 7 |
$40 |
2,000 |
| 8 |
$40 |
2,000 |
| 9 |
$40 |
2,000 |
| 10 |
$60 |
3,000 |
| 11 |
$50 |
2,500 |
| 12 |
$50 |
2,500 |
| 13 |
$50 |
2,500 |
| 14 |
$50 |
2,500 |
| 15 |
$80 |
4,000 |
| 16 |
$60 |
3,000 |
| 17 |
$60 |
3,000 |
| 18 |
$60 |
3,000 |
| 19 |
$60 |
3,000 |
| 20 |
$90 |
4,500 |
| 21+ |
$60 |
3,000 |
NOTE: those who are deferred from giving blood in pre-donation screening will earn 100 points for their attempt and can rebook for a future date to try to donate again, but a deferred donation will not count towards a donor’s annual donation count/earned reward value, as shown here. (For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org/donorforlife.)
Good Giving
Good Giving is a unique way to increase the good that’s accomplished through blood donation by supporting meaningful causes that help save and enhance lives in the communities we serve. Every six months, ImpactLife will share impact reports highlighting the collective contributions of our donors and the meaningful outcomes achieved through these partnerships.
From March 2, 2026 through August 30, 2026, donors who select the Good Giving option will have the opportunity to direct a donation to the following nonprofit organizations. For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org/goodgiving.
March 2, 2026 – August 30, 2026 Charities
Donations from our first six months are dedicated to the following food pantries and pet shelters.
| Animal Protective League of Springfield |
Central Illinois Foodbank |
| Eastern Illinois Foodbank |
Food Bank of Iowa |
| Gateway Pet Guardians |
GledEd Food Pantry |
| Humane Society of Decatur and Macon County |
Humane Society of Scott County |
| Marion County Humane Society |
Peoria Area Food Bank |
| Quad City Animal Welfare Center |
River Bend Food Bank |
| River Food Pantry |
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin |
| Shelter From the Storm |
St. Louis Area Foodbank |
| Tazewell Animal Protective Society |
|
August 31, 2026 – February 28, 2027 Charities
Donations from our second six months are dedicated to the following national charities and children's hospitals.
| American Cancer Society |
American Heart Association |
| Breakthrough T1D (Diabetes) |
Bright Point |
| HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital |
Leukemia Lymphoma Society |
| Make-A-Wish |
National Marrow Donor Program |
| OSF Children's Hospital |
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital |
| Shriners Hospital |
Sickle Cell Disease Coalition |
| St. Jude's Children's Hospital |
University of Iowa Children's Hospital |
| UW Health American Family Children's Hospital |
|
ABOUT IMPACTLIFE
ImpactLife's mission is to save lives by engaging donors, supporting partners, and advancing medicine. Founded in 1974, ImpactLife supplies blood products and services to hundreds of hospitals, emergency services organizations, clinical researchers, and other blood centers throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The nonprofit blood provider is ranked among the leading 12 blood suppliers in the United States. For more information on current blood inventory levels, our donor promotions, and more, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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