Published by Kirby Winn on Saturday, December 11, 2021 in News Releases
Following damage from severe storms on Friday, Dec. 10, it became clear additional units of blood might be needed at hospitals in the St. Louis Metro East region. The ImpactLife Inventory Management and Distribution team responded to one request for additional red blood cells and received inquiries about the ImpactLife blood inventory from several other hospitals in the area. (All done in preparation for any patients that may have arrived in connection with storm damage.)
ImpactLife is grateful for the support of the 1000+ donors who gave blood in day one of the KSHE Winter Blood Drive (Fri., Dec. 10). These donations will help replenish the local blood supply following any increase in demand for blood. We are reminded through this tragedy that need for blood is constant and can increase suddenly at any time.
“With the support of volunteer donors, ImpactLife stands ready to help the hospitals we serve in times of crisis and disaster,” said Amanda Hess, Vice President, Donor Relations and Marketing. “When blood is needed for situations such as this, it is the selfless gifts of donors who gave blood in the days and weeks before the crisis that are available for patients in need.” Additional donations will be needed to ensure the blood supply is sufficient to meet ongoing patient needs throughout the holiday season.
Opportunities to Give Blood
Day Two KSHE Winter Blood Drive (Sat., Dec. 11): ImpactLife will hold blood drives at seven locations from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. across the St. Louis region on Sat., Dec. 11 (day two of the KSHE Winter Blood Drive). While appointments are required for donation, appointment slots are available throughout the day, especially during the afternoon hours, and later next week at events scheduled in Litchfield, Illinois (Dec. 16) and Eureka, Missouri (Dec. 17). Call (800) 747-5401 or see www.bloodcenter.org/KSHE for locations, hours, and scheduling information.
Additional appointments are available at ImpactLife donation centers and mobile blood drives across the St. Louis region throughout the month of December. Donors may schedule appointments by calling (800) 747-5401, online at www.bloodcenter.org, or through the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).
About ImpactLife
ImpactLife is a not-for-profit community organization providing blood services to 126 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as resource sharing partners across the country. Services extend from southcentral Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri and from Danville, Illinois to Chariton, Iowa. ImpactLife operates 20 Donor Centers and holds approximately 5000 mobile blood drives annually to provide blood components needed for patient transfusions at hospitals throughout our region. For more information on blood inventories and donor promotions, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
-end-