Iowa’s Blood Donation Facilitators, Blood Center Workers, & Volunteers

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the men and women working and volunteering across Iowa to maintain a critical component of our health care system: blood donation. Whether they’re blood center employees or volunteer blood donors, these individuals are quite literally rolling up their sleeves to make a difference in their communities during the coronavirus outbreak. For that commitment, it is my honor to celebrate each and every one of them as Iowan of the Week.

The Surgeon General of the United States, Jerome Adams, recently called upon the public, especially Millennials and Gen Z, to consider donating blood during this crisis. He and the FDA reiterated that blood donation is safe and blood centers have been taking extra precautions to adhere to new CDC guidelines by spacing beds at least six feet apart, disinfecting surfaces between patient visits, temperature checking the staff, conducting additional screening of donors, and encouraging advance scheduling of appointments.

I join the Surgeon General and FDA in calling upon healthy, eligible Iowans to continue donating blood to maintain a safe, stable, and adequate community blood supply. Since COVID-19 began to spread in our country, thousands of blood drives have been cancelled and blood center donations have slowed significantly, resulting in several hundred thousand fewer blood donations nationwide. Without increased donor turnout, the United States will soon face a serious blood shortage.

When disaster strikes or we find ourselves in the midst of a public health crisis like the coronavirus outbreak, it is the blood on the shelves that saves lives. It’s part of our nation’s readiness to face this challenge head on. Not only are health care professionals caring for those affected by COVID-19, but they’re also still working 24/7 caring for cancer patients, trauma victims, and those in need of surgery. The need for blood is constant. One standard donation – an act that takes a few minutes – can save up to three lives and helps maintain the community blood supply. 

Donated blood is an essential part of caring for patients, and every blood center in the country is affected by this pandemic. I encourage every healthy, eligible Iowan to make an appointment to donate blood at their local blood center in the coming weeks. Remember: it is safe to donate blood; blood centers are taking every precaution to protect workers and donors; there have been no reported or suspected cases of transfusion-transmitted COVID-19; and donating blood will not lower your immune system. It’s normal to feel fear during this time of uncertainty, but Iowans can be sure their blood donation will make a positive impact in our fight against this disease.

I applaud our local blood center employees at places like LifeServe who are putting their community first by still going into work each day; their dedication and bravery in the face of coronavirus is inspiring. I also applaud local blood donors who, by no exaggeration, are saving the lives of their neighbors in need. Both are nothing short of heroic, and it is my honor to recognize them as Iowan of the Week.