The LifeServe Blood Center held a blood drive on Friday in Perry as the community continues to heal from the devastating tragedy that occurred on January 4th.

The organization was at the Dallas County Hospital on Friday to give people the opportunity to donate blood. According to Danielle West, who serves as the Regional Vice President at LifeServe, immediately following the tragedy, the centers in Des Moines flooded with an abundance of first time donors. She elaborates that the donor centers witnessed a 41% increase in blood collections with 100 units of blood collected in Perry alone, impacting 2,500 lives. 

Dallas County Hospital’s Director of Marketing & Foundation Tom Harmsen addressed the audience, inviting people to donate and Wells Fargo Associate Branch Manager Brenda Aragon for Perry was grateful of how supportive outside communities continue to be. Aragon noted that this wasn’t the first time the two entities have collaborated. 

In addition, several individuals and organizations were recognized thanks to their heroic efforts displayed on January 4th. The organizations that were honored included Dallas County Hospital, Dallas County Emergency Medical Services, the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Perry Police Department, the Perry Fire Department, Perry School District, and the Perry Chamber of Commerce. Larry Vodenik, of HyVee and Chris Van Zant were the two individuals recognized during the event.