Frigid temps, snow, and ice impacting blood supply

Published by Kirby Winn on Friday, January 23, 2026 in News Releases

Winter Storm Fern is on track to impact more than half of the U.S. population late this week and through the weekend, with blood donation expected to be significantly compromised due to frigid temps, snow and ice in parts of the Midwest and areas south and east of the ImpactLife service region. ImpactLife is asking donors to step forward to help build blood inventory ahead of the storm so the blood center is able to assist, as needed, regions hit hardest by Winter Storm Fern.

Donors can book their appointment online or by calling (800) 747-5401, by texting LIFESAVER to 999-777 or via the ImpactLife mobile app(www.bloodcenter.org/app).

Severe winter weather can lead to widespread cancelation of blood drives, missed appointments, and other challenges affecting the blood supply. Blood providers in the U.S. work together through organizations like the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps BERC) to provide mutual assistance in the event additional units of blood are needed to meet patient need in regions hit hardest by severe weather. Learn about previous BERC activations and resource sharing due to extreme weather.  

Put Good Into the World through Good Giving
Under ImpactLife's Donor For Life program, blood donors receive a voucher to redeem for their choice of an electronic gift card, bonus points to use in the ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store, or an equivalent value donation to support a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Reward values are based on donor frequency. See www.bloodcenter.org/donorforlife for complete information on current donor promotions and the Good Giving initiative.

Bonus Weeks and Drawing:

• Jan. 19 - Feb. 1, eligible donors will receive a $20 e-gift card bonus (or 1000 bonus points) in addition to regular gift values. This means a minimum of $40 gift card value for all non-deferred, whole blood and double red cell donations given at an ImpactLife donor center.
• Jan. 22-28, donors can give blood (all locations) and enter the drawing from their ImpactLife donor account in the Rewards Store for a chance to win Apple AirPods 4 wireless headphones. 

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 more than 130 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, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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