Heading into a busy end-of-summer holiday weekend, the blood supply across LifeServe Blood Center's service area has dropped to critically low levels - in some cases just a few days' worth.

Summer is often referred to as "trauma season," and while it is ending with Monday's Labor Day

holiday, the need for blood donations is especially high right now for all blood types. LifeServe

Blood Center is asking donors to come out as soon as possible to replenish supply and give the gift

of life.

"If you've put off donating blood because it's been such a busy summer, or been thinking about

donating but haven't gone through with it yet, now is really the time to do it," said Tim Paluch,

LifeServe Blood Center PR/Marketing Director. "Your communities and hospitals need you. Every

two seconds, someone in America needs blood, and just one donation, 30 or 40 minutes of your

time, can impact or save up to three lives."

Patients in hospitals in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois are relying on loyal donors to

keep a strong and stable blood supply. Without that, patients in serious situations like major

accidents and traumas may be at risk. This is especially concerning with increased demand over a

busy travel weekend.

To schedule an appointment at one of LifeServe Blood Center's 15 donor centers or at mobile

blood drive near you, call 800.287.4903 or visit lifeserve.info/schedule.

As an extra incentive, LifeServe is offering several different promotions right now, several of which

are football themed and involve giveaways, depending on when and where you schedule your

donation. The Ultimate Tailgate Giveaway, the We Give Blood drive campaign with Abbott and The

Big Ten Conference, and the Iowa-ISU Big Game Blood Drive are all incentivized drives around the

holiday weekend. Plus, donors who give August 29-September 3 will also receive double points for

their donation for use on products from LifeServe's online store. For more information, visit

lifeserve.info/pickyourpromo.