LifeServe Blood Center Selected as Primary Blood Provider in South Dakota
Last Updated on February 23, 2022
ABERDEEN, SD (February 23, 2022) – LifeServe Blood Center, ranked as one of the top 15 blood centers in the country, is now the sole supplier of all blood and blood products to nine new hospitals across South Dakota.
LifeServe Blood Center, one of two non-profit, community-based blood centers in South Dakota, provides 100% of all blood products needed to more than 130 hospitals across South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Since the beginning of the year, Avera hospitals in Aberdeen, Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre, as well as Avera-affiliated hospitals in Britton and Redfield have been receiving blood products needed for patient care from LifeServe Blood Center. Hospitals in Eureka, Bowdle, and Faulkton will also be receiving all of their blood products from LifeServe Blood Center starting in April.
“Having a reliable blood supply is important, especially in rural areas,” said Tami Svatos, Director of Laboratory Services at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital and Avera Medical Group Clinics. “Avera is glad to collaborate with LifeServe in the support of our communities.”
LifeServe Blood Center is not new to serving the needs to South Dakota hospitals. In fact, they have locations in Mitchell and Yankton where they have been serving as the only blood provider to those hospitals for years.
“The expansion into northern South Dakota is a natural extension of our mission of saving lives,” said Danielle West, LifeServe Blood Center Director of Public Relations and Marketing. “We’re honored that these additional hospitals have chosen us to be their blood provider and partner in saving lives. We already have team members who live and work in South Dakota, so expanding our lifesaving mission farther into the state is near and dear to our hearts,” said West.
As a community-based blood center, LifeServe Blood Center only hosts blood drives in the communities where that blood will go back into the area hospitals. Blood donors in northern South Dakota may not be familiar with LifeServe. To ensure blood donors in the community continue to support their local hospital, LifeServe will honor any blood donors current donation and gallon level milestones when donate with LifeServe.
“It doesn’t seem fair to host blood drives in areas where we are not providing that lifesaving blood back to that community,” West said.
LifeServe is working to begin operations in Aberdeen to give local blood donors the opportunity to support their hospitals. An Aberdeen-based facility will hopefully be operational in the next six months and will employ team members with various skillsets including blood collection, blood processing and blood donor recruitment. If you are interested in learning more about LifeServe’s open positions visit lifeservebloodcenter.org or call LifeServe at 800.287.4903.
Blood donors do more in one hour than most will do in a lifetime by giving the gift of life! If you’re interested in donating blood or hosting a blood drive at your business or organization, visit lifeservebloodcenter.org or call LifeServe at 800.287.4903.
LifeServe Blood Center is a non-profit, community-based blood center that has served the needs of local hospitals and patients in our regions since 1963. As one of the 15 largest blood centers in the country, LifeServe Blood Center is the SOLE provider of blood and blood products to more than 130 hospitals located across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. LifeServe is committed to saving lives by providing premier service to volunteer blood donors and access to a safe, quality blood supply for hospitals and patients. Your donation with LifeServe will help save your neighbor, a friend or family member or a stranger on the street. YOU make a difference in YOUR community. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 800.287.4903 or visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org.