ImpactLife sending blood to areas affected by hurricane

ImpactLife is participating in a national response to supply blood for the region affected by Hurricane Idalia.

The blood center has been asked to send a shipment of Type O and Type A red blood cells to Florida, according to a Thursday morning release. Additional donations of red blood cells and platelets are needed to maintain the blood supply for local hospitals and for ongoing support of the hurricane region.

ImpactLife is part of a resource sharing network of nonprofit community blood centers that supports needs throughout the country when called upon. As residents of the Gulf Coast region respond to Hurricane Idalia, hospitals and blood providers are requesting support from other parts of the country.

“We expect donors in the affected region will be unable to give blood in the hurricane aftermath, either due to power outages, evacuations, or sheltering in place,” said Mike Parejko, CEOr of ImpactLife. “We know blood components will be needed for ongoing patient care in the region, and we are glad to join other blood providers around the U.S. in responding to this need.”

ImpactLife will prioritize local needs before shipping blood components outside of the blood center’s direct service region. “We are asking all potential blood donors and our blood drive coordinators to help us answer the call,” said Amanda Hess, ImpactLife vice president for donor relations and marketing. “We will need to increase our donations this week and next to continue meeting local needs while also supporting the region affected by Hurricane Idalia.”

Through Sept. 10, all donors get their choice of an electronic gift card or a donation to support teachers across the ImpactLife region. Donations will be made in partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org. For more information, see www.bloodcenter.org/promotions.

Also through Sept. 10, donors who register to give for their first time with ImpactLife at a donor center location OR mobile drive will receive a voucher to get their choice of a $50 e-gift card OR $50 donation to help teachers. Details at bloodcenter.org/now.

For information on local donation centers and mobile blood drives, call 800-747-5401, visit the ImpactLife website HERE or schedule via the ImpactLife mobile app, available HERE.