Blood Donations Critically Low at LifeServe Blood Center

All blood types needed to replenish supplies at regional blood bank

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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LifeServe Blood Center, which services 179 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois, is currently facing a critical shortage of blood donations of all types. The organization needs around 2,700 individuals to donate each week to meet demand, but has seen a drop in donations due to weather and seasonal factors.

Why it matters

Blood donations are essential for providing life-saving transfusions to patients in need. The shortage at LifeServe could impact the ability of regional hospitals to adequately care for their communities if the blood supply is not replenished.

The details

LifeServe Blood Center has a donation center in Sioux City near the Southern Hills Mall, as well as mobile blood drives throughout the Siouxland area. The organization is urging all eligible donors to come in and give blood, as all blood types are currently needed. Anjeanette Barto of LifeServe cited weather and seasonal factors as contributing to the drop in donations.

  • LifeServe Blood Center is currently facing a critical blood shortage.

The players

LifeServe Blood Center

A regional blood bank that services 179 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois.

Anjeanette Barto

A spokesperson for LifeServe Blood Center.

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What they’re saying

“Our inventory is very low, I think, between the difference of weather, it gets warm out. People don't want to come inside. They want to get outside. And then when it's cold, they don't want to get outside.”

— Anjeanette Barto, Spokesperson, LifeServe Blood Center (KTIV)

“So if anybody is eligible to donate, come in and see us. You don't need to make an appointment. We like you to make one, but you can stop in at one of our locations throughout the Siouxland area. We have mobile blood drives here happening as well, so you can stop in and donate.”

— Anjeanette Barto, Spokesperson, LifeServe Blood Center (KTIV)

The takeaway

With blood supplies at LifeServe Blood Center critically low, the community is urged to donate blood of all types to help ensure regional hospitals have the resources they need to provide life-saving care.