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Give blood, give life

The pandemic has caused a decline in blood donations, but Marshalltown residents have an opportunity to help out.

Claire DeRoin, community relations coordinator for LifeServe, said blood donations are always needed in order to ensure people’s needs are met.

“Our blood type inventory changes every day depending on our hospital partners’ needs,” she said. “Today seven out of eight of the blood types are in either critical or urgent need, but that could change tomorrow for better or worse. That’s why it’s important that we have regular donors on our schedule year round.”

DeRoin said the Fourth of July weekend is a time of high need historically, with people often sustaining injuries while doing yard work, boating or shooting off fireworks. These and other incidents can result in the need for a blood transfusion.

More than 500 LifeServe blood drives were canceled from March to July due to the pandemic. This was an unprecedented amount of cancellations, which resulted in a loss of 13,000 expected donations, according to DeRoin.

contributed photos Community members donate blood at previous Battle of the Badges Blood Drives, which will take place July 1, 2 and 3 this year.

“Fortunately we saw a huge outpouring of support at our donor centers and the blood drives that did go on as scheduled. That’s the great thing about living in the Midwest; people are always looking for a way to feel helpful and raise up their community,” she said.

DeRoin noted that LifeServe is looking for organizations to host a blood drive. Hosts just need a large space for donations to take place, and LifeServe will handle “all the heavy lifting.” There is no cost to host.

Marshalltown residents have three opportunities to give blood as part of a fun contest. The Battle of the Badges, an event hosted by LifeServe Blood Center at the Marshalltown Donor Center, will be held July 1, 2 and 3. Donors have the chance to vote for their favorite first responder group: law enforcement, fire or EMS. Last year, law enforcement took the prize. Donors also get a voucher for a free shirt.

Marshalltown Chief of Police Mike Tupper encourages people to get involved.

“The need for blood donations has never been greater,” he said. “Making the decision to give blood can save a life and only costs a little bit of your time.”

Marshalltown Fire Chief Dave Rierson expanded on this, saying the reopening of the country comes with many “nonessential” surgeries that were postponed. This causes a great need for donations.

“Just having an adequate blood supply during the summer months is very important,” Rierson said.

He added that he hopes many people will participate in the blood drive.

LifeServe will enforce several safety precautions to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Appointments are required and can be made at lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800.287.4903. Donors should take their temperatures before donating, with only those with a temperature under 99.5 allowed to donate. Masks must be worn for the duration of the appointment.

“There’s no substitute for human blood and it can’t be made in a lab, so it’s critical that people roll up a sleeve!” DeRoin said. “You never know which of your neighbors might need a transfusion tomorrow, and your blood could be their lifesaving link.”

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Contact Anna Shearer at 641-753-6611 or ashearer@timesrepublican.com.

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