Des Moines shootings leave LifeServe in urgent need of blood

JOHNSTON, Iowa — LifeServe Blood Center said on Monday that it’s in urgent need of blood after multiple shootings in Des Moines over the weekend.

The shootings left three people dead and one critically injured. According to LifeServe, patients at MercyOne Des Moines and UnityPoint Health-Iowa Methodist Medical Center used over 150 units of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The blood center received requests from both hospitals for blood products to treat the shooting victims, and those requests are continuing to come in.

LifeServe is the sole blood provider to hospitals in Polk County. Now, the blood center is asking the community to donate blood to help replenish the blood supply.

“As the community blood provider, we rely on generous blood donors to support patients in need that are especially reminded of the importance of donating blood locally in times of tragedy,” Danielle West, LifeServe Blood Center regional vice president, said. “Unfortunate situations like these drive home the importance of having the right products on hospital shelves at the right time for patients in need. We’re urging individuals to donate as soon as they can, at a local Donor Center or mobile blood drive, to help replenish our community blood supply.”

To learn more about how to donate just visit LifeServe’s website .

Latest Metro News:

• Police identify victim in deadly Des Moines shooting
• Des Moines man charged in deadly weekend shooting
• Des Moines shootings leave LifeServe in urgent need of blood
• Witness describes shooting that left two officers hospitalized, suspect dead
• Des Moines City Council approves new homelessness ordinance amid contentious meeting

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.