Durbin Visits ImpactLife Blood Donor Center Amid National Shortage

August 17, 2026 Durbin Visits ImpactLife Blood Donor Center Amid National Shortage SPRINGFIELD —U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited the ImpactLife Blood Center to discuss the importance of addressing the nation’s blood product supply shortage and thank the medical officials and donors who are working to maintain adequate supplies. Durbin was joined by officials from ImpactLife and Memorial Health. “The American Red Cross declared a national blood supply crisis in the U.S. last month for just the second time ever, which has impacted patients’ ability to be treated for illnesses or undergo surgery,” Durbin said. “Timely access to blood can be the difference between life and death, especially in a medical emergency. I want to thank the professionals at ImpactLife and other medical sites along with the countless donors who come forward to help those in need.” “The demand for blood transfusions at the hospitals we serve never takes a day off,” said Gregory Lehmann, Vice President, Donor Outreach and Collections at ImpactLife. “We’re grateful for the donors who provide this lifesaving resource. Thank you, Senator Durbin, for bringing attention to our mission and the need for additional donors to help fill our schedules this time of year.” The blood supply crisis declaration came as donations hit a four-year low. In Illinois, type O—the most commonly transfused blood type—and B blood donations are especially needed. The American Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals to help ensure blood is available for patients facing the most critical, life-threatening emergencies across the country. The Red Cross provides about 40 percent of the U.S. blood supply, but the strain for blood donations is not limited to the Red Cross with many blood collection organizations also having reported critical shortages this summer. Many hospitals refer to the period from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day as “Trauma Season” as longer days and warmer weather can lead to more people sustaining injuries from recreational activity and accidents, thus leading to more blood transfusions. This summer, extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses are all factors in lower donor turnout. While 65 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, only three percent of the U.S. population does so. This week has been deemed Springfield Central Counties Health Centers Community Blood Drive Week. Founded in 1974 in Iowa, ImpactLife is a non-profit which provides blood products and services to more than 120 hospitals and emergency medical service providers across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri. In Illinois, ImpactLife is the exclusive provider of blood to Memorial Health and Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) hospitals in Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, Taylorville, and Lincoln. In addition, ImpactLife is the main provider to Carle and OSF hospitals in Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, and Peoria. As inventory allows, additional units are provided to hospitals across the country through a national resource sharing program. Every year, tens of thousands of Illinois residents donate blood at ImpactLife’s donation center. -30- Print Email Share Tweet