Clark County Blood Drives To Continue With ImpactLife After Final Red Cross Drive

Clark County’s final Red Cross-sponsored community blood drive collected 55 units of blood May 21 at First Baptist Church in Kahoka, providing donations that could help as many as 165 people, including babies.

Organizers thanked everyone who “rolled up a sleeve” to donate, noting that every donation matters, no matter the reason behind it. The May drive also marked a transition for the local blood donation program after the Red Cross recently announced it would discontinue many smaller community blood drives in the area, including Clark County’s, effective July 1.

The announcement came as a shock to many local supporters, especially during a national blood shortage. However, organizers said the change will not diminish Clark County’s long-standing dedication to supporting blood donation efforts. There will not be a local blood drive in July, but plans are already in place for the program to continue this fall.

Clark County has teamed up with ImpactLife, a blood donation organization headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, with an office in Burlington. ImpactLife has been operating since 1974 and serves community blood drives in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. The organization provides lifesaving blood products to 120 hospitals and emergency medical service providers across the four-state region and collects blood through more than 5,000 mobile blood drives each year.

Some area residents may already be familiar with ImpactLife, as the organization has held blood drives in nearby communities including Bonaparte, Keosauqua, Donnellson, Keokuk and Fort Madison. Organizers said they are looking forward to the new partnership and the opportunities ImpactLife will offer for the community and local school.

The first ImpactLife-sponsored Clark County blood drive is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at First Baptist Church in Kahoka. Many donors have already signed up, but appointments are still available. To schedule, call 1-800- 747-5401 and ask for an appointment on the Clark County September Blood Drive schedule. More information will be released ahead of the September drive.

Organizers also expressed appreciation to the many volunteers, businesses and organizations who helped make the May 21 drive possible. First Baptist Church was thanked for providing its facility, which organizers said is essential to hosting the local drives. County Coordinator Gloria Allen and Nancy Uhlmeyer were recognized for their years of work planning the drives and scheduling appointments.

Ed Wilson helped unload the van when it arrived, and Wilson and Jonathan Waterman helped reload it at the end of the day. Jerry Wilson set up tables and chairs. Coleen Watson and Terri Brewer assisted with donor registration throughout the day. Kahoka Meat Processing donated summer sausage and crackers. Uhlmeyer and Allen prepared the meal for workers, while Kathy Frazier helped in the kitchen by making sandwiches and snacks for donors. Frazier and Uhlmeyer also assisted with cleanup after the drive.

Organizers said they are grateful for the continued community support and look forward to seeing donors return when ImpactLife hosts the next Clark County blood drive in September.