LifeServe Blood Center and MercyOne Air Med in Des Moines, Mason City and Sioux City are excited to host lifesaving blood drives across the state of Iowa on Friday, May 13. LifeServe Blood Center, ranked as one of the top 15 blood centers in the country, is the sole supplier of all blood and blood products to 129 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota including the blood products used on MercyOne Air Med flights.

100% of the blood products needed at MercyOne and on MercyOne Air Med flights come from LifeServe blood donors. The strength of the community blood supply is dependent on local donors, businesses and organizations that donate and sponsor blood drives with LifeServe Blood Center.

“We appreciate the willingness of our colleagues and community members to answer the call to save lives,” said MercyOne Air Med flight nurse Sara Meyer. “Their blood donations matter when they are needed most.”

To ensure MercyOne, MercyOne Air Med and its patients have the blood products they need, the MercyOne Air Med teams are hosting three blood drives across the state of Iowa in May. LifeServe Blood Center and MercyOne are urging the community to boost the blood supply for local patients at these upcoming blood drives. Your donation will ensure those in your community in need of lifesaving blood products will receive them at a moment’s notice.

“MercyOne and MercyOne Air Med see the need for blood donations every single day. They cannot do their lifesaving work without generous volunteer blood donors who ensure blood products are on the shelf when needed,” said Danielle West, Director of PR and Marketing at LifeServe Blood Center. “We’re proud to partner with them on these blood drives to help boost the community blood supply.”

LifeServe bloodmobiles will accept blood donations at MercyOne helipads at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center. Donations in MercyOne’s North Iowa region will be at the LifeServe Mason City Donor Center.

Potential donors can sign up online for an appointment, meet the flight teams and tour the helicopters. Food trucks will be available to grab a bite before or after donating. All donors will receive an event T-shirt and prizes will be given at each location.

Blood donors do more in one hour than most will do in a lifetime by giving the gift of life! Visit lifeservebloodcenter.org or call LifeServe at 800.287.4903 to schedule.