High school students and others that have some free time this summer are encouraged to donate blood, as the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the need to sustain the area blood supply.

Impact Life, previously known as Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, is in critical need for types O+, O-, A+, A-, and B+. Donor Relations Consultant Chris Ciasto says while the number of blood donations usually decreases in the summer, they are in even greater need because of schools and businesses that have cancelled blood drives because of the pandemic, “The thing about summer that a lot of people don’t know is that 15 to 20 percent of the community blood supply is comprised of high school students, so donors 16, 17, 18 years old. So when high schools aren’t hosting then we see that significant drop in collections which is why we’re always trying to inspire new groups to come on board and host during the summer months since that is a really critical time for us to collect all blood types.”

There are several blood drives scheduled in the coming weeks in and around Washington County, including tomorrow from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the Victory Christian Center Fellowship Hall in Columbus Junction, Thursday from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Washington, and next Monday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Sharon Center United Methodist Church in Kalona. To schedule an appointment at these or other drives, visit here.