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back to school 

As the school year begins, so does the return of blood drives at elementary schools, high schools, and college campuses across our region. These drives play a vital role in supporting our community blood supply. Educational partners help collect more than 17,000 donations each year. With fewer drives held over the summer, the back-to-school season is an important time to reconnect. Here are a few ways we support schools and student engagement:

  • LifeSavings Grant Program: Pre K–12 schools that collect 20 or more donations can apply for a $250 grant, plus $1 for each unit collected. Grants can be used for scholarships, classroom needs, charitable gifts, or drive expenses.
  • Student Impact Award: Students earn credits by donating, volunteering, or recruiting. Six credits qualify them for this special recognition before graduation.
  • College ABO Initiative: Colleges and universities can access resources for on-campus drives, student organization involvement, and internship opportunities.

Be part of something bigger by turning school spirit into lifesaving action. Contact us or click one of the buttons below to learn more.

PreK-12 Schools - LifeSavings Grant  High School - Student Impact Award  Colleges - ABO Initiative

resource for educators

Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation is designed for school educators to provide turn-key resources to integrate information about blood donation into curriculum. Including:

  • Exclusive virtual patient scenarios that bring the lifesaving importance of blood donation to life.
  • Socratic Seminar, creating a dialogue surrounding a variety of suggested topics.
  • Creating a commercial, social media campaign, or survey to learn from others how we can increase interest in donating blood.
  • Reviewing a variety of career opportunities which help to support the nation's blood supply.

Vein to Vein makes it easy for educators to implement lesson plans about the importance of blood donation into their lesson plans. It will also ensure that students know about careers available in the blood community. These lessons go beyond the field of science and offers opportunities to integrate English Language Arts, and Mathematics.

Check out Vein-to-Vein Here

partner feature - RC Fest

Adam (pictured left) received blood products as a baby that saved his life, so he created a blood drive and RC Fest, a radio-controlled event, that he holds annually to pay it forward. Since 2011, they've grown from a small festival to a premier event, all while raising funds and awareness about the importance of blood donation. For monster truck driver Brad  (pictured, center), a routine dental visit led to a life-or-death diagnosis and an emergency blood transfusion. 

Watch Brad's Story Here

still time to SWITCH IT UP 

July winner, Jobi, who gave at our Springfield Donor Center explains why she gives. As a medical social worker, I witness firsthand the critical need for platelet donations—and I’m proud to contribute as a regular donor!

Here's the details on your next chance to win! Give blood with ImpactLife for your chance to win a Nintendo Switch 2 and change the game for patients in need! After your donation, visit the reward store via your donor account and enter by the deadline below:

Donate August 11–24, 2025

  • Enter by midnight on August 25, 2025
  • Prize: Nintendo Switch 2 Console (approx. value $449.99)
  • Winner selected around August 26, 2025

Click here for details

what color do you bleed?

Every season, we give it everything we've got. We give our strength, our passion, and our heart because it's in our blood. And now, we can give that too. Starting August 27, Abbott and the Big Ten are kicking off the largest blood donation competition in the country, rallying school pride to fight the largest blood shortage in a generation. The University of Nebraska may have taken the title last year, but we all win when we're part of something bigger. Watch 2024 highlights and stay tuned for more details at www.bloodcenter.org/wegive!

sign up to shuffle

The annual ImpactLife Corpuscle Shuffle 5K Run & Walk is a highlight for employees, blood donors, volunteers, and community members. Join us on Saturday, October 4 for your choice of a 5K or 1-mile run/walk, starting at our Davenport, Iowa headquarters. Following the race, celebrate at nearby Five Cities Brewery for our awards ceremony and a post-race party like no other! 

Register for Corpuscle Shuffle  

Interested in sponsoring the Corpuscle Shuffle? With the support of our sponsors and race registrations, the Corpuscle Shuffle annually raises more than $20,000 towards our LifeSavings Grant program, a key element of our outreach to the next generation of blood donors. We have levels ranging from $100 - $5,000 available. To learn more, contact Emily Shenk-DeMay at (563) 359-5401 x3955 or esdemay@impactlife.org.

donor for life

Our Donor for Life program makes giving even more rewarding. With every donation, donors earn points toward ImpactLife gear, recognition, and more, all while making a lifesaving difference.

August 1 - September 14: Donors who give at any ImpactLife Donor Center will receive a BONUS $20 gift card (or 1,000 bonus points). And don’t forget, hosting a blood drive at one of our Donor Centers qualifies your donors for our bonus days! And it's great and easy option to keep donors engaged and earning rewards.

Learn more about Donor for Life

Blood Types Needed

Many variables can impact our blood inventories such as weather, holidays or tragic events.  Every day, patients who need blood are in crisis and you can help by volunteering to donate.  Less than 10% of the population gives blood, so donors that give on a regular basis are important to meet these needs. Book an appointment today!

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