The American Red Cross Iowa Region has Chapter offices in Des Moines, Dubuque and Sioux City and three Blood Donation Centers. We serve 2.8 million people across Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Every day, ordinary people make extraordinary contributions by putting their needs aside to help others in our community. The American Red Cross is honored to salute these unsung heroes.
The need for blood is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. You will feel good knowing you've helped change a life. Schedule an appointment at one of our locations.
View Locations
Blood Donation Center Locations
Dubuque Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center
By Emily Holley “It could be someone you know,” said Beth Pickar as she explained the need for blood. And for Pickar, it was someone she knew who once needed donated blood. The Iowa State University Memorial Union swarmed with activity last week during the fall blood drive. For four days, students rolled up their sleeves and donated blood while enjoying nineties hits, information about campus organizations and a variety of snacks. Pickar was especially motivated to donate after a conversation...
The American Red Cross remains on the ground in neighborhoods impacted by this week’s flooding across the Omaha metro area, helping residents take the first steps toward recovery. For families dealing with flooded homes, damaged belongings and uncertainty about what comes next, recovery can feel overwhelming. Red Cross volunteers are working directly in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods to make sure people know they are not facing that process alone. Teams are going door-to-door,...
By Josh Murray Over the last 15 months, chapters across the American Red Cross Nebraska and Iowa Region have placed an increased focus on strengthening relationships, building partnerships and creating connections that help communities become more resilient long before a disaster or crisis occurs. At the heart of that effort is a simple but powerful idea. “When disaster strikes, the difference between communities that recover well and those that struggle often comes down to one question:...
Meet Lauren, a community disaster program manager. She is committed to supporting and strengthening communities within her work. Her responses demonstrate a love of her community and an appreciation of people and their life experiences. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work on? A: I'm a community disaster program manager. I work on community readiness, response and recovery. Lauren Ritta Q: How long have you been with the Red...
By Janet Flanagan It was a warm spring afternoon when the day took a different turn for longtime American Red Cross volunteers Vern and Linda Brice, who live on a farm in Lawton, Iowa, just 13 miles from Sioux City. After years of helping others affected by disaster, Linda and Vern Brice found themselves among those impacted by a disaster. “Our son came by and borrowed our pickup, and at about 4 p.m. I looked out the window and saw smoke,” Linda said. “We got in the car and investigated. We...
