Student-Led Blood Drive Saves/Sustains up to 93 Lives

Zoe Foster (‘25) was looking for ways to support her post graduation plan of studying biology on the Pre-PA Path at Dordt University. While doing so she learned that LifeServe Blood Center provides scholarship opportunities for students who give blood or organize blood drives. As a recipient of a blood transfusion herself, Zoe has a unique understanding of the need for drives in our community and the benefits blood donations provide. She proceeded to organize, lead and promote a blood drive at Des Moines Christian School in conjunction with LifeServe Blood Center. 

“I was passionate about hosting a blood drive because I was frustrated that I was unable to give blood myself,” Zoe said. “In anatomy, I learned about the importance of blood in the body and the facts about it. When I tried to donate myself, I was deferred due to heart issues that I was born with. When I was able to shadow a surgery, I saw how blood was used in the OR, and it opened my eyes, even further into wanting to host a drive. There are people that I can immediately think of who were saved because of blood transfusions, and I thought of how blood transfusions can help those like me who’ve had open-heart surgery. The mission at DMC is to impact the world for Christ, and one way that I was able to do that was with the help of others to save lives through the donation of blood.”

Through Zoe’s efforts 26 people were able to donate, including 20 first-time donors! Thirty-one units of blood were collected, resulting in up to 93 lives saved or sustained.

Caleb Bailey ('26) said, “I was given the opportunity to donate and thought that it was the right thing to do. As students we don’t get many opportunities like this and wanted to do something that mattered. I have had instances in my family where people have required blood to live and I know how important this can be. It was a civil duty and I’m glad I was able to help!”

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.