Family and Community Inspire Karen Durban‘s 30th lifetime Blood Donation
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LINCOLN, NE – Karen Durban, Director of Programming at the Lied Center for Performing arts, recently marked a significant milestone in her commitment to giving back: her 30th lifetime blood donation. Driven by a desire to support her community and a personal understanding of the critical need for blood, Durban’s journey began with overcoming her own anxieties about the donation process.
The impetus for Durban’s regular donations stems from a realization of the widespread need and the simple act of contributing to a life-saving resource. Ther are so many reasons somebody might need it, and knowing you’re part of making sure the supply is always there is a really good thing,
Durban said.Also, you never know when it’s going to be you or somebody you love that will be the recipient or will need there to be a good community supply of blood.
This sentiment underscores the universal vulnerability that connects everyone to the need for readily available blood.
From Fear to Regular Donor
Durban initially approached blood donation with apprehension. I think I didn’t sleep because I was terrified,
she admitted. however, her first experience, shared with a close friend, quickly dispelled her fears.She discovered the process was far less daunting than she had imagined. I was so blown away by how I had made it this big scary thing that it absolutely was not,
Durban explained. This positive experience transformed her into a regular donor, aiming to donate every eight weeks.
Durban’s dedication extends beyond personal motivation. She views blood donation as a tangible way to support the well-being of those around her. Her commitment is particularly relevant as Nebraska participates in the 2025 We Give Blood drive, a kind competition between Big Ten Conference schools to encourage donations.
A Career Rooted in the Arts
Prior to joining the Lied Center on March 17, 2020 – coinciding with the University of Nebraska’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic - Durban built a career in broadcast journalism, working as a reporter and anchor at KLKN in Lincoln and in morning radio. Despite her success in journalism, her passion always lay with the performing arts. The performing arts has always been my first love in life,
she said. I grew up performing and seeing shows.
The challenges presented by the pandemic’s onset proved unexpectedly formative. Durban found herself at the forefront of adapting live events to a virtual landscape. It was a really special and interesting thing to be part of trying to preserve that and figure out what that could still look like and how we were going to come out the other side,
she said.
Bringing World-Class Performances to Nebraska
Since then, Durban has had the possibility to collaborate with and witness performances by acclaimed artists such as Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, and Bernadette Peters. She also enjoys sharing the experience with her children, attending shows like The Band’s Visit
and Come From Away
.
Durban champions the Lied Center’s mission to make world-class performances accessible to university students at reduced or no cost. It should be just part of the university experience that maybe you’ll see Yo-Yo Ma or you’ll go see Wynton Marsalis or you’ll go see American Ballet Theater, and it’s right here on campus,
she said.
Expanding Access to the Arts
Durban also emphasizes the Lied Center’s outreach programs, which bring performing arts experiences directly to the Lincoln community. These initiatives include master classes with students and story times featuring visiting artists. A recent example involved performers from Frozen
connecting with local youth preparing to stage frozen Jr.
Durban believes these interactions are crucial in fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts. One of the goals is to give Lincoln students several exposures to the arts so that, by the time they graduate, it’s something that’s just accessible to you,
she said. It’s about removing the barrier to cost, removing the barrier to proximity so people feel welcome.
| Metric | Value (as of 2025/09/04) |
|---|---|
| Karen Durban’s Lifetime Donations | 30 |
| Nebraska’s We give Blood Donors | 911 |
| Wisconsin’s We Give Blood Donors (Lead) | 1,306 |
| Ohio State’s We Give Blood Donors | 569 |
| Total Lives Saved (estimated) | 18,969 |
did You Know?
Blood donations are essential for treating accident victims, surgery patients, and individuals with chronic illnesses. One donation can save up to three lives.
Pro tip:
To find a blood drive near you and schedule an appointment, visit the American Red Cross website at https://www.redcrossblood.org/.
What motivates *you* to give back to your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you found Karen Durban’s story inspiring, please share it with your friends and family!
The Ongoing Need for Blood Donations
The demand for blood is constant, driven by medical advancements, trauma cases, and the ongoing needs of patients with chronic conditions. maintaining a stable blood supply requires consistent donations from a diverse pool of donors. The American Red Cross and other blood donation organizations continually emphasize the importance of regular giving to ensure adequate resources are available when and where they are needed.The we Give Blood drive, initiated in 2023, is a prime example of collaborative efforts to bolster blood supplies across the Big Ten Conference and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Donation
- Q: Why is blood donation important?
A: Blood donation saves lives by providing essential resources for surgeries, trauma care, and treating various illnesses. - Q: How often can I donate blood?
A: Generally, you can donate whole blood every 56 days. - Q: Is blood donation safe?
A: Yes,blood donation is a safe process. Sterile, single-use equipment is used for each donor. - Q: What are the eligibility requirements for blood donation?
A: Eligibility requirements vary,but generally include being at least 17 years old,weighing at least 110 pounds,and being in good health. - Q: How long does the blood donation process take?
A: The entire process, including registration, screening, and donation, typically takes about an hour.
