LifeShare Blood Center

LifeShare is a nonprofit community blood center, established in 1942, that focuses on the collection, manufacturing, and distribution of blood and blood components.  Patients in over 100 local medical facilities depend on LifeShare to supply blood components.  25% of donated blood products are used by patients battling cancer.  Many are facing surgeries, kidney failure, or sickle cell disease, while others are recovering from traumatic injuries or burns.  While volunteer blood donors are vital to providing these life-saving products to local patients, we realize not everyone is able to donate blood.  Our financial contributors have an immediate impact on patients' lives, too.  Your tax-deductible gifts fund equipment, materials, and technology used to keep the region's blood supply safe and ample.  Your dollars make a difference and lives are saved.  Thank you for making a life-saving contribution to LifeShare!  

Your Impact

Meet Declan!  Declan was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia, a rare blood disorder, at just 3 months old.  Because his bone marrow produces no red blood cells, he relies on a blood transfusion every three weeks to keep his hemoglobin above 9.  Without them, he would not survive.

Declan’s mom, Ann, puts it simply: “It’s hard to put into words just how thankful we are for blood donors...our son would not be here without these selfless donations.  Because of donors, our son is able to live his life.  We will be forever thankful.”

Meet Tyran!  Tyran was diagnosed with Stage 4 Diffuse Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer found in  her bone marrow.  Her treatment was grueling--eight rounds of intravenous chemotherapy, six rounds of intrathecal chemotherapy, and three bone marrow biopsies.  Throughout it all, she required over 100 blood and platelet transfusions to stablize her white blood cell count and keep her treatment on track.

In her own words: “I am incredibly grateful to Lifeshare and their donors for their tremendous support during my cancer treatment.  Their blood and platelet donations helped me beat cancer!”

Meet Houston!  Houston was diagnosed with sickle cell disease a just 1 month old, and from that point on, hospitals became a familiar part of his life.  The complications from his condition meant childhood looked different for him that it did for other kids; but through remarkable perserverance, he crossed the stage and graudated high school last year.

Houston’s mom shares: “Although he has had a hard life, he is still blessed because he is still here standing strong, fighting the good fight.”

Meet Chris!  Chris has been a dedicated blood donor for years, and his reason for starting might surprise you.

“I started donating blood years ago as a way to get over my fear of needles. Truth be told, I still don’t love them—but I’ve come to really appreciate the impact that giving blood can have.”

Donors like Chris are the reason LifeShare is able to support  the blood supply in our local communities.

Meet Judy!  Judy’s journey as a blood donor began with a deeply personal experience--watching her two granddaughters battle cancer and depend on platelet transfusions.  That love was the spark, and it never went out.

In her words:  “You never know when you’ll be on the needing end.  So all the times you can be on the giving end, it’s a blessing paid forward.  Only people can give it, and people need it.”

To date, Judy has made over 200 donations--a testament to her incredible generosity and commitment.  Each one has helped LifeShare maintain a stable blood supply for patients across our communities who are counting on the kindess of strangers to get through their hardest days.

Meet Gene!  Mr. Powell first gave platelets in 1976 and never stopped--dedicating 50 years of his life to donating every 2 weeks.  A proud Army veteran, he understands better than most what it means to need blood when it matters most.

In his words:  “Giving blood or platelets is necessary to help folks stay alive.  I’ve been in a situation where my specific blood type was needed for a young man who was wounded in battle and only 16 soldiers were able to give.  Give doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t take long, and we need more people to do it.”

Mr. Powell has donated more than 100 gallons of platelets--an extraordinary legacy that has touched countless lives.  Donors like him are the backbone of LifeShare’s ability to meet the ever-present needs of our communities, ensuring that patients have access to the blood products that keep them alive.