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Snow Can't Stop Us

A late-season snowstorm brought a wave of cancellations that affected blood drives, donor center schedules, and even deliveries by our Inventory Management & Distribution team. But the IMD crew persisted to find a way through. When Interstate 74 shut down near Galesburg and IMD couldn't safely move product from Springfield, Urbana, and Peoria to Davenport, lab and IMD management worked together to divert everything to St. Louis, shifting staff hours and assignments to cover the extra load. 

Meanwhile at our Madison hub, IMD Supervisor Alex Gralak suited up to clear windshields and a path between vehicles after plows cleared a foot of snow from the parking lot. Thank you to everyone for going the extra mile this winter, and here's to spring! 

Kyden's Story

Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at just 17 months old, Kyden spent months in the hospital while his parents took turns at his bedside. His mom Nikki put it simply: the meals and donations from friends meant the world, but they were not going to save her child's life. The blood products were different. That's what had the impact.

Kyden is now eight years old and five years cancer free. To celebrate, his family partners with us for a blood drive and Kyden hand-delivered personalized thank-you notes to every single donor.

The McKearneys knows firsthand what it means to depend on blood donors. Their son Hudson battled leukemia for three years, and blood transfusions were a constant part of keeping him alive. Hudson is now nine years old and cancer-free.

To give back, their family has partnered with us for multiple Hudson's Heroes blood drives over the years, including a drive at Luminous Dance Studio in Eldridge, Iowa.

Hudson's mom Jessica also serves as co-chair of our Quad Cities Associate Board, turning her family's hardest chapter into a ongoing mission to save others. We are so proud to have her in our corner.