January has always been a pressure point for the blood supply in St. Louis. The holidays wind down, routines stall and winter illnesses set in, but hospital demand keeps moving quietly and relentlessly. Nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Robert “Bob” and Judy Hellman recognized that gap and decided to do something about it.
That decision became the St. Louis Jewish Community Blood Drive, an annual January effort designed to help rebuild the region’s blood supply now it is most vulnerable. This year’s drive takes place Sunday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Young Israel of St. Louis, 8101 Delmar Blvd., in partnership with ImpactLife.
What began as a single act of chesed has become a durable tradition.
Why January and why this exists
The St. Louis Jewish Community Blood Drive began in 2008 after the Hellmans heard a Passover sermon at Young Israel delivered by their son, Rabbi David Hellman, then a visiting spiritual leader. The message resonated not as an abstract call to kindness, but as a practical one. January was when help was needed most.
Since that first drive, thousands of units of blood have been collected. Except for pandemic-related cancellations in 2021 and 2022, the drive has been held every January, intentionally timed to help replenish blood supplies after the holidays. For that work, the Hellmans were named recipients of the Jewish Light’s Unsung Heroes award in 2014.
“We can’t emphasize enough the need, the shortage of blood,” said Bob Hellman in a previous Jewish Light report. “Everyone, male or female, young or old, can participate and help someone in their fight against cancer or as a surgical patient. There is no substitute for blood and the only way for a person to receive blood is from another human.”
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When Jewish values meet a medical reality
Winter travel, family commitments and seasonal illness often cause donation levels to dip, even as hospital needs remain steady. That tension is exactly what the Hellmans set out to address.
“Blood donation matters all year, but the holidays create a perfect storm,” said Dr. Daniela Hermelin, chief medical officer for ImpactLife. “Travel, family commitments and seasonal illness all contribute to a drop in donations, even as hospital needs continue. January is when we have a real opportunity to rebuild and replenish the blood supply. Blood donation is a true act of chesed. We’re honored to work alongside Dr. and Mrs. Hellman in making it possible for the community to give in such a meaningful way.”
ImpactLife supplies blood and blood components to SSM Health Hospitals and other medical centers throughout the region. Donated blood supports patients across oncology, surgery, trauma, obstetrics and neonatal care. When supply falls behind demand, the effects are felt quickly.
What donors should know before they go
The St. Louis Jewish Community Blood Drive is open to individuals ages 17 and up, or 16 with a signed parental permission form, who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health. Appointments are encouraged.
Donors will receive rewards through ImpactLife’s donor program. Each successful donation qualifies donors for a $20 e-gift card, points toward the ImpactLife Rewards Store, or the option to donate the value of the gift card to a nonprofit organization.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 800-747-5401, or by visiting Bloodcenter.org using group code 11448.
