Latest news with #ImpactLife
Associated Press
11 hours ago
- General
- Associated Press
High school donors and blood drives make lifesaving impact on blood supply
Davenport, Iowa, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ImpactLife is recognizing the contributions of 536 high school students who earned the blood center's Student Impact Award during the 2024-25 school year. The award is given to students who give blood, recruit donors, and/or organize blood drives while in high school. To receive the Student Impact Award, recipients must earn six credits in any of the following categories before high school graduation: 'Across our region, ImpactLife is fortunate to work with students who want to develop their leadership skills while supporting health and wellness in their community,' said Lindsay Erhardt-Hansen, Manager, Donor Relations. 'We appreciate our Student Impact Award recipients for their commitment to supporting the blood supply, and we look forward to seeing the positive difference they'll make long into the future.' Student Impact Award recipients receive an award certificate and a red cord that signifies the connection between the blood donor, ImpactLife, and patients who have been helped by the student's support of our region's blood supply. With permission from their school, students may choose to wear the red cord in their high school graduation ceremony. (For more information on the Student Impact Award, see School-based blood drives are a significant source of support for our region's blood supply. ImpactLife will hold 515 blood drives with high schools held during the 2024-25 school year, leading to more than 10,000 donations by donors 16 to 19 years of age, many as first-time blood donors. ImpactLife offers its LifeSavings Grant to recognize schools for their substantial contribution to our region's blood supply. Primary and secondary schools that host blood drives qualify for the grant program by sponsoring blood drives that collect at least 20 donations. LifeSavings Grants can be used to fund scholarships, make a charitable donation, provide for classroom or curriculum needs, or help defray expenses related to the blood drive. Following each blood drive, schools can apply to receive a grant of $250, plus one dollar for each donation. While LifeSavings Grant applications are still being submitted for the 2024-25 school year, the blood center has processed 451 successful grant applications year-to-date, with $127,672 in grants awarded. (More information at With 2024-25 education sector blood drives coming to an end, ImpactLife has reached a challenging time of year when the donor recruitment team looks to increase appointment schedules at Donor Centers and community blood drives to make up for donations the blood center won't collect at schools during summer break. To find an ImpactLife Donor Center location or mobile blood drive, call (800) 747-5401, text 'lifesaver' to 999-777, or schedule online at or via the ImpactLife mobile app ( ). Donors Enjoy Perks and Benefits: Through ImpactLife's Donor For Life program, donors receive their choice of an electronic gift card, bonus points for the Rewards Store OR a charitable donation to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit of the donor's choice via the blood center's Good Giving program. To help improve schedules at ImpactLife donor center locations, ImpactLife is offering $20 in bonus value (or 1000 bonus points) for donations made at ImpactLife Donor Centers through June 8. Rewards grow in value with each donation in a calendar year. See the table at for complete information. About ImpactLife ImpactLife's mission is to save lives by engaging donors, supporting partners, and advancing medicine. Founded in 1974, ImpactLife supplies blood products and services to hundreds of hospitals, emergency services organizations, clinical researchers, and other blood centers throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The nonprofit blood provider is ranked among the leading 12 blood suppliers in the United States. For more information on current blood inventory levels, our donor promotions, and more, see and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Attachments Kirby Winn ImpactLife (563) 349-1571 [email protected]
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
High school donors and blood drives make lifesaving impact on blood supply
ImpactLife recognizes 536 with Student Impact Award ImpactLife Student Impact Award graphic ImpactLife High School blood drive Davenport, Iowa, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ImpactLife is recognizing the contributions of 536 high school students who earned the blood center's Student Impact Award during the 2024-25 school year. The award is given to students who give blood, recruit donors, and/or organize blood drives while in high school. To receive the Student Impact Award, recipients must earn six credits in any of the following categories before high school graduation: donating blood (one credit per donation); recruiting a new or lapsed donor (one credit per donor); volunteering for blood drive planning (one credit per blood drive); or by serving as a Blood Drive Coordinator (six credits per blood drive). 'Across our region, ImpactLife is fortunate to work with students who want to develop their leadership skills while supporting health and wellness in their community,' said Lindsay Erhardt-Hansen, Manager, Donor Relations. 'We appreciate our Student Impact Award recipients for their commitment to supporting the blood supply, and we look forward to seeing the positive difference they'll make long into the future.' Student Impact Award recipients receive an award certificate and a red cord that signifies the connection between the blood donor, ImpactLife, and patients who have been helped by the student's support of our region's blood supply. With permission from their school, students may choose to wear the red cord in their high school graduation ceremony. (For more information on the Student Impact Award, see School-based blood drives are a significant source of support for our region's blood supply. ImpactLife will hold 515 blood drives with high schools held during the 2024-25 school year, leading to more than 10,000 donations by donors 16 to 19 years of age, many as first-time blood donors. ImpactLife offers its LifeSavings Grant to recognize schools for their substantial contribution to our region's blood supply. Primary and secondary schools that host blood drives qualify for the grant program by sponsoring blood drives that collect at least 20 donations. LifeSavings Grants can be used to fund scholarships, make a charitable donation, provide for classroom or curriculum needs, or help defray expenses related to the blood drive. Following each blood drive, schools can apply to receive a grant of $250, plus one dollar for each donation. While LifeSavings Grant applications are still being submitted for the 2024-25 school year, the blood center has processed 451 successful grant applications year-to-date, with $127,672 in grants awarded. (More information at With 2024-25 education sector blood drives coming to an end, ImpactLife has reached a challenging time of year when the donor recruitment team looks to increase appointment schedules at Donor Centers and community blood drives to make up for donations the blood center won't collect at schools during summer break. To find an ImpactLife Donor Center location or mobile blood drive, call (800) 747-5401, text "lifesaver" to 999-777, or schedule online at or via the ImpactLife mobile app (). Donors Enjoy Perks and Benefits: Through ImpactLife's Donor For Life program, donors receive their choice of an electronic gift card, bonus points for the Rewards Store OR a charitable donation to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit of the donor's choice via the blood center's Good Giving program. To help improve schedules at ImpactLife donor center locations, ImpactLife is offering $20 in bonus value (or 1000 bonus points) for donations made at ImpactLife Donor Centers through June 8. Rewards grow in value with each donation in a calendar year. See the table at for complete information. About ImpactLife ImpactLife's mission is to save lives by engaging donors, supporting partners, and advancing medicine. Founded in 1974, ImpactLife supplies blood products and services to hundreds of hospitals, emergency services organizations, clinical researchers, and other blood centers throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The nonprofit blood provider is ranked among the leading 12 blood suppliers in the United States. For more information on current blood inventory levels, our donor promotions, and more, see and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Attachments ImpactLife Student Impact Award graphic ImpactLife High School blood drive CONTACT: Kirby Winn ImpactLife (563) 349-1571 kwinn@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Emergency Response and the Blood Supply
ImpactLife salutes emergency medical services during EMS Week, May 18-24 Heroes For Life graphic EMS Week graphic (square) Davenport, Iowa, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, ImpactLife joins emergency medical services providers across our region in celebrating May 18-24 as Emergency Medical Services Week. The EMS Week campaign honors the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, and other critical team members, and builds awareness of their vital role in prehospital medical care, emergency management and community healthcare. EMS Week also highlights the importance of supporting the availability of blood for patients who need blood transfusions in a hospital or prehospital setting. The blood center is now offering $20 bonus value (or 1000 points) for donations made at ImpactLife Donor Centers May 19 - June 1 ( 'This is an appropriate time to pause and celebrate the exceptional care and selfless contributions made by EMS workers,' said Amanda Hess, Vice President, Donor Relations and Marketing. 'Recent events in our service region, including devastating tornadoes that hit St. Louis last Friday, put the skill and expertise of EMS teams to the test. We appreciate their work as well as the blood donors whose donations make many lifesaving treatments possible, both in the emergency room and in the field.' EMS Week comes at a time when ImpactLife is focused on improving blood donation schedules in the days leading up to Memorial Day Weekend. That's especially important at the outset of "trauma season," a time of year when warming temperatures lead to an increase in the rate of injuries with blood loss due to trauma. DONOR CENTER BONUS WEEKS: To help improve schedules at ImpactLife donor center locations over the next two weeks, ImpactLife is now offering $20 in bonus value (or 1000 bonus points) for donations made at ImpactLife Donor Centers from May 19 - June 1. Through its Donor For Life program, ImpactLife provides blood donors with the opportunity to make a donation to a nonprofit, receive a gift card for personal use, or to receive bonus points to use in the blood center's Donor Rewards Store. The bonus will be automatically applied to all donations made at ImpactLife Donor Centers May 19 – June 1. For more information, see To book an appointment for blood donation, please call (800) 747-5401, text LIFESAVER to 999-777, or schedule online at or via the ImpactLife mobile app (). EMS Week was first established in 1974 through a proclamation by President Gerald Ford to recognize the EMS professionals who safeguard the health, safety and well-being of communities across the United States. EMS Week is presented by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) in partnership with the National Associations of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). About ACEP The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing education, research, public education, and advocacy, ACEP advances emergency care on behalf of its 40,000 emergency physician members and the more than 150 million people they treat on an annual basis. For more information, visit and About NAEMT Formed in 1975 and over 110,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is the only national association representing the professional interests of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders and other professionals providing prehospital and out-of-hospital emergent, urgent, or preventive medical care. For more information, visit About ImpactLife ImpactLife's mission is to save lives by engaging donors, supporting partners, and advancing medicine. Founded in 1974, ImpactLife supplies blood products and services to hundreds of hospitals, emergency services organizations, clinical researchers, and other blood centers throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The nonprofit blood provider is ranked among the leading 12 blood suppliers in the United States. For more information on current blood inventory levels, our donor promotions, and more, see and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Attachments Heroes For Life graphic EMS Week graphic (square) CONTACT: Kirby Winn ImpactLife (563) 349-1571 kwinn@ in to access your portfolio
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Marianne Akers, 44, identified as driver who killed four girls at after school club… but she's NOT in custody
A school food service worker was behind the wheel of a car that plowed through an after-school program and killed three young kids and a teen. Marianne Akers' black Jeep rammed straight through the YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School Camp in Chatham, Illinois, about 3.20pm on Monday. An 8-year-old, two 7-year-olds, and an 18-year-old woman were killed and six others were injured. Only one is still in critical condition. Akers, 44, was filmed in handcuffs, with her hair in a messy bun and wearing a dark gray T-shirt. But police said she was taken to a local hospital for assessment with toxicology results still pending, and was not under arrest. Akers is a food service worker at Chatham Elementary School and a mother of two children - a teenage boy and girl. Three of the victims were hit by the Jeep as they stood outside the building, while the fourth person who died was inside the building, authorities said. The six injured victims were rushed to hospital, including one with injuries so severe they had to be airlifted for treatment. Akers is understood to have crashed her car into the east side of the school facility with such force that it crashed out the other side seconds later. She walked away physically unscathed in the horror accident, but was taken to hospital for further evaluation. The program is designed for school-aged children and is run by college students and 'very mature' high school seniors - most of whom have ambitions themselves of one day becoming educators. Police said on Monday evening the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed his horror on Monday afternoon, writing: 'Parents said goodbye to their kids this morning not knowing it would be the last time. 'Our community lost a group of bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them. 'Let's wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation.' Devastated locals have recalled the moment their neighbors, friends and loved ones learned of the tragedy and rushed to the scene. One wrote: 'Watching people you know sprint past your house, not knowing if their children are safe, is a gut-wrenching experience. My heart aches for everyone.' Employees and volunteers at the local blood bank, Impact Life, are urging locals to come down to give blood this week, revealing they've drained much of their stockpile helping victims of the tragedy. 'After the tragic events today the blood bank is running low, please if your able go donate,' one woman wrote. Another said: 'I work at the Blood Center, and we had to pack up so much of our supply for this, so please if you can donate blood, platelets, any of it, go do it.' Illinois Senator Doris Turner also issued a statement, saying she is 'heartbroken' by the tragedy. 'When we drop our kids off in the morning, we should always have the utmost belief that they will come home safely at the end of the day,' she wrote. 'For some families, that belief was shaken today following the tragedy at Y.N.O.T. in Chatham. 'I am heartbroken — there truly are no words to explain what the Chatham community is feeling and will feel for days, weeks and months to come. 'I want to thank the first responders, law enforcement and volunteers.' The local Chick-Fil-A has offered all first responders a free meal today and tomorrow in response to the tragedy. YNOT is a summer and after school camp - offering three hours of care for busy parents with little ones. It is staffed by college students and 'very mature high-school seniors.' The Chatham Baptist Church has become the makeshift reunification point for families who have children at YNOT.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing market expected to improve for buyers nationwide, what this means for Central IL:
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Realtors across the nation are painting a more optimistic picture for people wanting to buy homes this spring, but the same might not be true for Central Illinois. They're hoping the market bounces back after sales of previously occupied houses fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Realtors point to lower mortgage rates; prices and more properties being listed. But is the same true in Central Illinois? ImpactLife, Knights of Columbus hosting Champaign blood drive to combat donation decline One local realtor said no. Stefanie Pratt from Coldwell Banker said she's not seeing the same level of change in the area. Pratt said she had a closing on Friday, and that the house had several buyers fighting for the property with a few cash offers. For her, that's an indicator of tough times for buyers, especially for those trying to secure their first ever house. 'You're going against a lot of first-time buyers, especially your FHA loans, which are first time buyer loans or real development, some conventional that you don't see a lot of cash buyers on that, but we have been seeing more cash buyers still in the market,' Pratt said. 'And cash can actually beat out because if you over list price, they'll want to make sure that you can cover that amount over the list price in case there's an appraisal issue. So, a cash buyer is much more apt to actually have that and not worry about that appraisal gap.' Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend still asking for volunteers But with some trends changing in bigger cities, she said the public could see them in Champaign soon. Pratt said Champaign-Urbana is an insulated market because it's a college town. Because of the constant need for housing, the city sees the effects of housing trends after they hit areas like Chicago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
