Decorah Rotary Club and Decorah Lutheran Church to address the national blood shortage with a blood drive on March 23.
For the members of Decorah Rotary Club, the drive is personal, as one of their younger member’s life was saved by blood donors.
(Decorah, IA) – Decorah Rotary Club member Dacia Monson’s first labor and delivery experience was far from typical. “When I gave birth to my first son, I hemorrhaged and lost over half of my blood,” she said. “It was traumatic. I required multiple blood, plasma, and iron transfusions, and was airlifted to a larger hospital.”
Decorah Rotary Club will be teaming up with Decorah Lutheran Church to host their 5th Annual blood drive together on Monday, March 23 from 1:00 – 6:00 PM in the Social Hall at Decorah Lutheran. The group saw a need to host a blood drive in response to critical blood shortages, and hopes to maintain past donors, while also encouraging new donors to give.
“We are so thankful that Dacia and others are with us today because of blood donors, and we want to do our part to make sure there is always blood available when our friends and neighbors need it,” said Brecka Putnam, the event organizer, who is a member of both Rotary and Decorah Lutheran. “Only 3% of the population gives blood, but 62-65% are eligible. We want some of that 59-62% to come out and try donating.”
The American Red Cross issued a severe blood shortage warning on January 20, 2026, after the national blood supply dropped by 35% in just one month. They speculate that the nationwide flu outbreak and severe weather kept donors at home. Over 400 drives were impacted by weather in that month. As a result, the organization reports that hospitals are having to triage blood products.
In addition to helping friends and neighbors, there are several benefits to donors. This blood drive is Give a Pint, Get a Pint event, meaning that all donors will receive a free pint of frozen custard from Culver’s in Decorah. The Red Cross is also offering free A1C testing to all successful donors, and a $15 Amazon Gift Certificate. It also features prepackaged and homemade goodies donated by Rotary and Decorah Lutheran members.
“Here’s what sticks with me,” said Dacia. “Someone, somewhere, took the time to donate blood. Because of them, I’m here. Because of them, my boys have their mom. You never know when you or someone you love will need it.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/DLCRotaryDrive26GiveBlood to sign up to donate blood.
More Information
- Brecka Putnam, Blood Drive Leader
- brecka.putnam@gmail.com
- More Information