DES MOINES, Iowa — The fair is known for the food, fun, music, animals, and competitions, but one group is trying to get fairgoers to help save lives too.

LifeServe Blood Center is holding a four hour blood drive every single day of the fair. All 11 days. In past years, they’ve held single blood drive events. 

The “Bloodmobile” is located just south of the Varied Industries Building and west of the giant slide. 

You can either schedule an appointment online or just walk in and donate blood. 

“A lot of people dropped by, asked questions, getting information, as well as asking us questions that we can tell about that, that need of blood. And we’ve convinced quite a few people to just hop on the bus right there without an appointment,” Tim Paluch with LifeServe Blood Center said. “You know, they get a little free gift as they go.

“We have Barksdale cookies every day. They drop them off for fresh for us to give to the donors as well. So, it’s a quick 40-minute experience. You’re going to save somebody’s life and impact up to three lives.”

More than 60% of adults are eligible to give, but only 3% donate.

“Summer is always what’s called trauma season. We experience – and every other blood center in the country experiences – the run of supply shortages at the end of summer. We’re just hitting that really hard right now,” Paluch said. “We’re feeling it really hard. A lot more traumatic incidences and car accidents lately that, that can pull that blood supply that we deliver to local hospitals. You know, anybody who can give blood right now would be very helpful to help restore that supply. But at the same time, if you’re a B negative, if you’re an O negative, if you’re an O positive donor, extra need.” 

They warn that if you’re drinking, plan to drink or are dehydrated, save the blood donation for another day. 

The blood drive is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. On Thursday it is open from 1 to 5 p.m.