July 2026 - ImpactLife

We Are Stronger Together: Celebrating Juneteenth and Our Diverse Community

Throughout the month of June, we were proud to join communities across our region to celebrate our diverse donor base and raise awareness for sickle cell disease. Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day both happen annually on June 19 – the perfect opportunity to engage with our communities with blood drives and informational booths in Davenport, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Bloomington-Normal, and St Louis – to spread awareness about how to help more sickle cell warriors.

We hosted a public information session and staff training on the use of blood transfusions for patients who have sickle cell disease. Dr. Meredith Parsons, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pathology from University of Iowa gave an overview on sickle cell disease and its effect on patients, with a special focus on the importance of having appropriately matched units of blood available for patients experiencing a sickle cell crisis. We also heard from our own Shyneeta Rush (Supervisor, Donor Services), who has witnessed the impact of sickle cell disease on multiple family members.

Blood transfusions are often an essential part of sickle cell treatment, and finding compatible blood often depends on maintaining a diverse donor base. Through our Red 4 Life initiative, we engage our community in conversations and educational outreach, with the goal of strengthening relationships and increasing awareness about how blood donation can make a life-changing difference.

Learn More About Red 4 Life

Juneteenth 2026

Shynisha Evans, Springfield Board member, Teresa Tran, Donor Relations Account Manager, and Chad Sabin, Community Development Advocate
Teresa Tran, Donor Relations Account Manager, and Shynisha Evans, Springfield Board member
Cassandra Schoonover, Donor Relations Senior Account Manager
Shyneeta Rush, Supervisor, Donor Services
Dr. Meredith Parsons, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pathology, University of Iowa
Shyneeta Rush, Supervisor, Donor Services

We All Bleed The Same

From left to right - Donor Relations Account Manager Teresa Tran, Springfield board members Kristin Tobias, Coreyonna Johnson, and Emmanuel Davis
Left to right - Springfield board members Kristin Tobias, Coreyonna Johnson, Donor Relations Account Manager Teresa Tran, and Springfield board member Emmanuel Davis
From left to right - Donor Relations Account Manager Teresa Tran, Springfield board members Kristin Tobias, Coreyonna Johnson, and Emmanuel Davis, Community Development Advocate Chad Sabin
Teresa Tran, Donor Relations Account Manager
Kristin Tobias, Springfield board member
From left to right: Martin Mata, Component Processing Tech, Kenya Muniz, IMD Associate, Chelsey Devol, IMD Supervisor, Jack Dillman, Charge, Linda Mueller, Patient Services RN, Robin Fuller, Collection Specialist 1, Kaitlyn Pearson, Donor Recruitment Supervisor, and Kirby Winn, Public Relations Manager
Tori Tebbitt, Account Manager, and Alex Burkamper, Community Development Advocate
Krista Jiroutek, Account Manager
Lydia Polsean, Territory Coordinator, and Krista Jiroutek, Account Manager
Jack Dillman, Charge
Brooklyn Booher, Collection Specialist 1, Atallex Mukite, Collection Specialist 2, Lydia Polsean, Territory Coordinator, Brook True, Collection Specialist 2, and Traviss Wood, Donor Services Supervisor

Donating With Pride

Throughout Pride Month, ImpactLife was proud to be part of Pride celebrations across our service region, connecting with community members at Pride events in Fort Madison, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, the Quad Cities, and Springfield. These events gave us the opportunity to share how blood donation saves lives, answer questions about the 2023 eligibility changes that made blood donation more inclusive, and welcome more people into our donor community.

Because together, we can Put Good into the World.

"It helps to really bring people together."

The Project of the Quad Cities provides vital healthcare and support services for the LGBTQIA+ community. The Project became a real Partner for Life by hosting blood drives and educating the LGBTQIA+ community about 2023 eligibility changes that made blood donation more inclusive.

Hear from Tyler Mitchell with The Project about how we really all do bleed the same and why it's important to support all members of our community.

Thank the Donor

"Thank you so much! Your blood was so helpful! I currently am going through chemotherapy for breast cancer. My levels have gotten so low and I was told I needed blood. I've never needed blood (thank goodness) BUT here I was waiting on blood! AND they said "we've found your type"! Hallelujah! I appreciate your willingness to go out of your way to donate! It has definitely changed my life and made me feel so much better! Thank you for being a blessing! AND I hope you are a super awesome person because now I have some of you in me!"

The work our partners do every day makes a difference for patients who count on blood products. And our Thank the Donor initiative is a chance to hear directly from patients who have received blood, like this one.

Learn More About Thank the Donor

Out for Blood with the Cedar Rapids Kernels

Our partnership with the Cedar Rapids Kernels proved that baseball and blood donation make a winning team. In June, the Kernels were Out for Blood when they teamed up with us for a blood drive at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Every donor received a free ticket to a future Kernels game as a thank you for helping local patients.

The partnership also created an opportunity to highlight the lifesaving impact of blood donation. One week before the drive, pediatric cancer survivor Marek Rudzki and his younger brother Truman threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Kernels game.

Marek, who relied on blood transfusions during his cancer treatment, was recognized on the field as the Kernels shared his inspiring story with fans throughout the stadium. Together, the event showcased how community partnerships not only help recruit blood donors but also celebrate the lives those donations make possible.

Marek and the Cedar Rapids Kernels

Marek and Mr. Shucks, the Kernels mascot
Marek throwing out the first pitch!

Blood Drive Partners are Part of Something BIGGER

As a Partner for Life, you know what it means to be a force multiplier for good in the world. Every blood donor we can recruit is a lifesaver, selflessly giving of themselves to provide patients in critical need with the best medicine ever created.

We believe donors make the best partners, and are always looking for new collaborations. You can help by reaching out to those you know to connect them with us. From celebrating a birthday party, to honoring the memory of a loved one who has passed, or even collaborating with local breweries to make a real splash. We’re excited to offer a comprehensive suite of promotional resources for each of these (Birthday Challenge, Legacy of Giving, Pint Club) and many more!

An incredible fact is: the number one reason people give for choosing not to donating blood is that “no one asked them.” Blood drive partners like you are essential to recruiting new blood donors - and you can do so much, simply by asking people you know to give blood.

If you know someone who is ready to Be Part of Something BIGGER, please direct them here for more information!

Great Deeds Deserve Great Rewards

Generosity isn’t what you do, it’s who you are. For patients in need, blood products donated by people like you can change everything. Our Donor for Life Rewards Program is one way to show our appreciation for all our donors do to save lives.

Donors for Life unlock exclusive rewards and work toward earning ImpactLife gear and more. Recent additions include a pickleball set (a frequent donor request) and a folding chair (a returning favorite, also by request!) – but the most popular items by far are our T-shirts, featuring our initiatives, special limited-edition holiday designs, and more. It’s our way of saying “thank you” for making a lifesaving difference!

OR, you can put even MORE Good into the World by turning your reward points into a charitable donation to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit of the donor’s choice via our Good Giving program!

Check out what you can earn by logging in here!