SIOUXLAND BLOG
Giving the Gift of Life: How LifeServe Blood Center Powers Health in Our Communities
Every day, someone somewhere needs blood: after surgery, for cancer treatments, or in emergencies. Yet hospitals can’t run without a reliable and clean blood supply. That’s where LifeServe Blood Center comes in. Since 1947, this non-profit, community-based blood center has quietly and steadfastly ensured that hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois have the life-saving blood products they depend on. Here’s a look at what LifeServe does, why it matters, and how you can help.
Mission & Scope: Local Roots, Big Impact
LifeServe is not a distant organization—it’s embedded in the communities it serves. It is one of the 15 largest blood centers in the U.S., yet remains community focused.
It supplies blood and blood products to ~175 hospitals—primarily in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois.
It collects on the order of 150,000+ units of blood per year to meet local hospital needs.
Because it's a nonprofit, all efforts are oriented around safety, accessibility, and keeping the supply stable rather than profit.
How They Make Donation Possible: Access & Eligibility
To meet demand, LifeServe maintains a network of many donor centers spread across its service region.
Locations include Aberdeen, Ames, Ankeny, Des Moines (several sites), Fort Dodge, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux City, Yankton, and more.
They also run community or mobile blood drives at schools, businesses, churches, etc. This broadens reach and makes donation easier.
As for eligibility, LifeServe sets clear requirements to ensure donor and recipient safety. They also have tools like QuickPass, which donors can use on the day of donation to streamline parts of the process, complete required screenings, etc.
History & Evolution
LifeServe didn’t appear overnight—it’s built on decades of community effort and growth.
Its earliest roots go back to 1937, with Ike Smalls and a small donor referral effort in Des Moines.
Over time, organizations merged: the Blood Center of Central Iowa and the Siouxland Community Blood Bank combined in 2010 to create LifeServe.
They have expanded both in geographic area and in facility capability. In 2024, they opened a brand new headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, increasing ease of access for many donors.
Why Donations Matter — More Than Just One Pint
It’s not just about collecting blood; it’s about saving lives and keeping the whole healthcare system running.
Some key impacts:
As noted, every hospital in their service area depends entirely on LifeServe-collected blood to meet their needs. If people donate to other organizations but live in these communities, those donations don’t go to their local hospital.
Donor participation is strong: hundreds of thousands of people register as donors; new donors join each year.
LifeServe also responds during emergencies or crises (severe weather, trauma events, etc.) when the blood supply is stressed. Having a stable, local donor base helps them mobilize quickly.
5. How You Can Help & What to Expect
If you’re considering donating or supporting, here’s what to know:
Schedule a donation: find a donor center or a mobile drive near you. lifeservebloodcenter.org
Prepare properly: rest well, eat a good meal, stay hydrated, bring required ID. The centers provide tips. lifeservebloodcenter.org
Share the word: hosting a drive at your school, work, or local organization helps expand access. LifeServe partners with sponsor groups who help recruit and host blood drives. lifeservebloodcenter.org
Support other ways: volunteering, sharing patient stories, checking out the donor store, etc.
LifeServe Blood Center reminds us that big change often happens through small, consistent acts. One donation can mean multiple lives saved; one community blood drive can make a difference during a medical crisis. While many healthcare advances get attention, having a reliable, safe, local blood supply is foundational, often unseen, and crucial. If you’re in their service area, donating with LifeServe is literally giving your neighbors a chance. Even if it’s just once, your contribution matters—and together, all those “once”s build something quite powerful.