Published by Kirby Winn on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in News Releases
ImpactLife has seen a surge in appointments at Donor Centers and mobile blood drives following Monday's tragedy at the YNOT Outdoors After School Center in Chatham, Illinois. ImpactLife expects a busy day at Donor Centers and mobile blood drives in Central Illinois and across the blood center's service region.
![Chatham ribbon graphic]()
Jim Watts, Manager, Donor and Government Relations, will be on site at the Springfield Donor Center throughout day on Tuesday along with members of the ImpactLife Donor Scheduling Team. "Sudden, tragic events like this remind us of the importance of maintaining a strong blood supply at all times," said Watts. "Thanks to the generosity of blood donors, the hospitals caring for the injured had the blood they needed, already on the shelves, ready to help, if needed. That is why blood donation is important every day."
To book an appointment for blood donation, please call (800) 747-5401, text 999-777, or schedule online at www.bloodcenter.org or via the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).
Good Giving: Opportunity to Give Financial Support
Blood donors have the opportunity to make a financial donation to YNOT Outdoors as part of the blood center's "Good Giving" program. After each donation, donors receive email instructions with information on ordering a "thank you" gift, which can be redeemed as a donation to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. YNOT Outdoors is included among the nonprofits that can receive a contribution through this program. The amount of each contribution is based on donation frequency. For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org/donorforlife.
Learn about "Good Giving" and ImpactLife Donor Rewards
Recent Blood and Platelet Donations Enable Immediate Response
The ImpactLife Inventory Management & Distribution team at the Springfield distribution center responded to requests from Springfield hospitals for additional red blood cells and platelets immediately following Monday's incident. "We don't have specific knowledge of any injured patients receiving a blood transfusion," said Watts, "but it is certain that our IMD team was able to respond because of donors who gave blood in the days prior. Blood donations that have been tested, processed, and 'on the shelves' make all the difference in a time of crisis, and that's why we work to maintain a balanced schedule of donors and mobile blood drives throughout the year."
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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Contact:
KIRBY WINN
Manager, Public Relations
kwinn@impactlife.org
mobile 563-349-1571
JIM WATTS
Manager, Regional Development and Government Relations
jwatts@impactlife.org
mobile 217-220-8686