First community blood drive with ImpactLife set for Friday, July 10
BLACK RIVER FALLS – As of March 2, 2026, ImpactLife has become the sole provider of blood and components for patient transfusions for Black River Health. Following the transition, ImpactLife began regular deliveries to the Black River Health laboratory and blood bank from its product distribution hub in Madison.
“The decision to change blood suppliers was rooted in what was best for our patients,” said Nicole Schweitzer, VP of Provider and Clinic Services. “Our patients can be assured that the blood supplied for Black River Health has always been and will continue to be of the safest and highest quality. We are excited to begin this new partnership with ImpactLife.”
A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, ImpactLife is the exclusive provider of blood products and services to more than 120 hospitals and emergency medical services groups in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. This includes hospitals and EMS teams in Baraboo, Dodgeville, Fond du Lac, Madison, Platteville, Prairie du Chien and other Wisconsin communities. The Blood Center’s testing, processing, and primary distribution center in Davenport, Iowa produces more than 250,000 units of transfusable blood components each year. ImpactLife works together with volunteer blood donors and mobile blood drive host organizations to ensure blood products are available for patient transfusions at the hospitals it serves.
“Volunteer blood donors provide a critical, lifesaving resource to the hospitals we serve,” said Mike Parejko, Chief Executive Officer of ImpactLife. “We look forward to working with Black River Health and meeting new donors and blood drive coordinators in Jackson County.”
ImpactLife will hold its first community blood drive in Black River Falls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 10 in the Oak Room at Black River Memorial Hospital. Blood donors can register in advance at www.bloodcenter.org. As part of the blood center’s “Donor For Life” rewards program, all donors will receive their choice of an electronic gift card ($20 value), points to use in the ImpactLife Donor Rewards Store, or the opportunity to make an equivalent value charitable donation to a nonprofit organization. To learn about ImpactLife Donor Rewards programs, see www.bloodcenter.org/rewards.
Blood donations are often used to help treat patients with cancer, victims of trauma, and patients undergoing major surgeries. A blood donor can give every eight weeks, or up to six times a year. All persons age 17 and up (or 16, with a signed parental permission form) who weigh at least 110 lbs. and are in general good health meet the basic eligibility requirements for blood donation. For more information on donor eligibility, call ImpactLife at (800) 591-8049 or visit www.bloodcenter.org/eligibility.