LIFESERVE BLOOD CENTER BLOOD DRIVE BUS TOUR AIMS TO SAVE 300 LIVES IN 300 MILES DURING IOWA-NEBRASKA WEEK

JOHNSTON, IOWA (November 3, 2026) – LifeServe Blood Center is hitting the road for four blood drives in four days to celebrate Iowa vs Nebraska football rivalry week this month. The goal is to save 300 lives (100 blood donations), about the same number of miles between Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium and Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium.

LifeServe’s bloodmobile will have two stops in Nebraska before crossing the Missouri River border with two more stops in Iowa during Thanksgiving Week, giving fans a chance to add blood donation to the competition on the field. The goal is 100 blood donations across the four drives. Just one donation can impact or save up to three lives, this means if the goal is successful, the lives of 300 local hospital patients will be impacted.

The Border Battle Blood Drive Tour comes at a perfect time for local hospitals in Iowa and Nebraska. Due to the start of winter and holiday travels, LifeServe typically sees a dip in blood donations while at the same time, demand for lifesaving blood increases.

The annual Heroes Game between Iowa and Nebraska, taking place this year on Friday, November 27 in Iowa City, honors citizen heroes. LifeServe wants to do the same for the many local heroes who roll up their sleeves to donate blood with LifeServe that goes right back to local hospitals.

All donors at the four Border Battle Blood Drive Tour stops will get an exclusive Border Battle t-shirt, plus their choice of a fan scarf, and more. The LifeServe bloodmobile will be making these stops:

• 12-5:30 p.m. Monday, November 23 at Avera St. Anthony Hospital, a LifeServe partner hospital in O’Neill, Nebraska

• 12-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 24 at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne, Nebraska

• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, November 25 at Decatur County Hospital, a LifeServe hospital partner in Leon, Iowa

• 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, November 27 at St. Luke’s Surgery Center, a newer LifeServe

hospital partner, in Cedar Rapids“Whether you are a fan of the Hawkeyes or the Huskers, one thing we can all come together on is the importance of a strong blood supply to treat patients in your community,” said Tim Paluch, LifeServe PR & Marketing Director. “One simple act that takes less than an hour can make such a powerful impact to someone in great need, so we hope fans come out for a good cause during a special week for both schools.”

To learn more about the inaugural LifeServe Border Battle Blood Drive Tour, and to schedule your own lifesaving blood donation appointment, call 800.287.4903 or go to lifeserve.info/borderbattle.

LifeServe Blood Center is a non-profit, community-based blood center that has served the needs of local hospitals and patients in our regions since 1947. As one of the 15 largest blood centers in the country, LifeServe provides blood products to more than 175 hospitals primarily in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and Illinois. LifeServe is committed to saving lives by providing premier service to volunteer blood donors and access to a safe, quality blood supply for hospitals and patients. Your donation with LifeServe will help save your neighbor, a friend or family member, or a stranger on the street. YOU make a difference in YOUR community. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 800.287.4903 or visit lifeservebloodcenter.org.