There is always a need for donated blood in northern Iowa, according to those who run blood banks.

A fatal bus crash in Calhoun County involving the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team last week combined with a couple of incidents in Iowa and South Dakota have made the need more acute.

LifeServe Blood Center sent “many units” of donated blood to treat the 32 people who were injured in the bus crash, according to Kathryn Kuckelman, the public relations and marketing coordinator for the blood bank.

“We now need to replenish the blood supply at local hospitals,” she said.

“We’re always in need,” she added.” We’re still low on basically every type.”

While donations of every blood type are wanted, donations of type O negative are especially wanted. Kuckelman said that blood type is the “universal donor” that can be safely given to patients who have any blood type.

The public can help by “just getting out and donating,” she said.

She said most healthy people can donate blood.

People younger than 16, those who weigh less than 110 pounds, and pregnant women cannot donate blood, she said.

LifeServe Blood Center has a facility at 118 S. 25th St. in Fort Dodge. Those who want to donate blood are encouraged to make an appointment.

Blood drive Thursday at Van Diest Medical Center will help with blood shortage

The Webster City community has a blood drive this week at the Van Diest Medical Center.

The blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, Feb.19, from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Van Diest Medical Center Clinic Board Room, 2350 Hospital Drive.

Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are encouraged by calling 800-287-4903. Donate blood and receive a Scooters cookie and a 20% coupon at the Hospital Gift Shop.

If this doesn’t work with your schedule, there are other options for giving blood by visiting the website for Lifeserve.

To make an appointment to donate blood, visit lifeservebloodcenter.org.

On the home page, click on Locations in the upper right hand corner.

You have choices which location is convenient for the donor. Selections include a northern Ames donor location, and the Fort Dodge Donor Center. The center’s hours are listed and there is a button to click to schedule an appointment.