LifeServe Seeks Blood Donors After Deadly Iowa Lakes Bus Crash

Blood supplies critically low after dozens of units sent to injured victims

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Blood supplies are critically low at LifeServe, the blood donation organization serving over 175 hospitals in four states, after dozens of units were sent to treat victims of a deadly bus crash at Iowa Lakes Community College on Wednesday. The crash killed one person and injured 32 others, depleting LifeServe's supplies of O+, O-, A-, and B- blood types.

Why it matters

Blood donations typically drop after the holidays and during bad weather, leaving supplies lower than normal even before emergencies like this crash. LifeServe is now struggling to meet demand from hospitals and may have to limit shipments, putting patient care at risk.

The details

LifeServe's freezer shelves are mostly empty, with the director of public relations and marketing saying 'This is low. You've got a lot of empty shelves.' The organization is now having to obtain blood from external sources to meet the surge in demand from hospitals treating the crash victims.

  • The deadly bus crash occurred on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

LifeServe

A blood donation organization serving over 175 hospitals in four states.

Tim Paluch

The director of public relations and marketing at LifeServe.

Iowa Lakes Community College

The college whose bus was involved in the deadly crash.

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What they’re saying

“I would say the freezer is kind of a snapshot of what we're dealing with right now. This is low. You've got a lot of empty shelves.”

— Tim Paluch, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, LifeServe (KCCI)

“It's our responsibility to get them the blood to treat patients, and we have to continue to do that. We can only do that with volunteer donors.”

— Tim Paluch, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, LifeServe (KCCI)

What’s next

LifeServe is urgently appealing for blood donations, especially of O+, O-, A-, and B- blood types, to replenish supplies and ensure hospitals can continue treating victims of the bus crash.

The takeaway

This emergency highlights the critical importance of maintaining a robust and reliable blood supply, especially in the face of unexpected disasters and tragedies. Donating blood can be a lifesaving act, and LifeServe's struggle to meet demand underscores the need for more people to regularly donate.