Combined efforts increase blood supply for those who need it most

SOMERSET, KY – April 17, 2024 – For the fourth year in a row, the Air Methods of Kentucky program organized its Battle of the Bases blood drives across the state of Kentucky, including its base in Corydon, IN. This friendly “battle” among the six bases garnered 148 blood-unit donations in 2025, raising the total collected to 624 blood-units since 2022.

Each unit of blood can save up to three lives, meaning that over the past four years, over 1,800 lives may have been saved thanks to the donations. The Air Methods of Kentucky base in Elizabethtown won bragging rights in 2025, collecting 112% of their goal.

“It’s amazing to see the blood drive program continue to grow each year,” said Kentucky 6 Flight Nurse Kendall Stewart. “We have had great success with this initiative, and we all look forward to seeing what 2026 has in store for us.”

This friendly challenge was sparked in 2021 when creators, Stewart and Area Manager Danny Bray, put their brainpower together to creatively help tackle the blood shortage in the state. Bray and Stewart decided to challenge all six bases to compete to make a larger impact by increasing blood donations. For the second straight year, the Air Methods Air Communication Center (AirCom) in Omaha, NE joined the competition as well.

“Air Methods has been a wonderful blood program partner for the American Red Cross and continues to go above and beyond to help us fulfill our lifesaving mission and support patient needs,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Brooke Lee. “They know first-hand how important blood donations are for life-saving care and work hard to encourage their communities to roll up a sleeve and donate blood. We greatly appreciate all their efforts in helping the Red Cross maintain our nation’s blood supply. The need for blood never stops and every donation makes a huge impact on those who need it.”

Air Methods partners with the American Red Cross to help ensure a strong and reliable blood supply—both at local blood banks and aboard its aircraft. Every Air Methods air medical program is equipped with the critical tools, medications, and supplies needed to deliver lifesaving interventions in the field and ICU-level care in the air. On every flight, the team carries whole blood and/or blood products (i.e. blood plasma), positively increasing patient outcomes through pre-hospital care.