Who We Are
Ever wondered who volunteers for LifeServe Blood Center?
LifeServe Blood Center is a non-profit, volunteer supported, regional source for blood products. Volunteers are a vital part of achieving our mission of saving lives in partnership with the communities we serve. By volunteering your time and talents, you are a part of the lifesaving link that delivers blood to patients in need. That you take pride in knowing that your time is as vital to us as a blood donation.
So, WHO are we? Why are we here?
Yvonne Dauterive retired from the chaotic world of IT and was looking for a place to give back, that was welcoming and stress free. LifeServe is reaping the reward.
For the past 2 years, Yvonne has given more than 500 hours of her time and attention to delivering blood products to our local hospitals and picking up and packaging our Panera donations, multiple times per week. She has an incredible work ethic and takes ownership of her role, ensuring everything is efficient and presentable. She is always willing to share her knowledge and provide suggestions to make improvements that impact everyone.
We asked Yvonne about why she volunteers with LifeServe. She responded: “I love the community of LifeServe. Many of the people in the hospitals, in the labs and other volunteers, I now call friends. I had received blood on a few occasions in my life and I had a niece that lost her battle with leukemia at age three. When I retired, I knew I had to do something for the greater good of all people and to honor my niece. I have found that sense of purpose and I am proud to say that I volunteer at LifeServe.”
Yvonne has an abundance of energy that brightens everyone’s days. LifeServe is so appreciative of her commitment and reliability and honored she has chosen us.
Terry Slickers lives a retired, but busy life. He currently volunteers with LifeServe as a driver in Waterloo. Terry signed up to volunteer when a LifeServe Donor Services Team Member asked him during his blood donation. He agreed and has been driving for about two years. Terry drives a lot more in the winter because many volunteers travel to warmer climates. Once they return, he lets them have more of the volunteer time.
Terry is a retired Waterloo police officer. In addition to LifeServe, Terry goes with a group to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown and plays bingo with them. He has seven grandchildren to keep him busy, while also taking time to bowl, fish, play horseshoes and league pool. Thank you Terry for all of your hard work and dedication!
Ray Johnson is a driver for LifeServe. He currently resides in Des Moines and has been helping LifeServe for nine years. Ray began volunteering after he saw an article in a Westside Shopper. He was already retired at the time, so he thought volunteering would be a good way to spend his time. Ray continues to help because it gives him something to do while also allowing him to “...make a difference in the lives of complete strangers you don't even know, and you probably won't ever meet. It feels good to help," Ray said.
Ray retired in 2002 from designing systems and programing computers. He started back in the 60s when it was all mainframe stuff because PCs didn’t exist yet. Now Ray spends his days volunteering for LifeServe and attending his grandchildren's sporting events. Thank you Ray - You are a valuable asset to LifeServe Blood Center!