‘Heroes Blood Drive’ Kicks Off

Officials at Miller-Keystone Blood Center have announced that the second annual “Boots, Badges & Bandages” Heroes Blood Drive competition between firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical service personnel kicks off on Memorial Day, May 25, and will run through Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2015.

“Blood donations traditionally decline in the summer months, due to high school breaks and family vacations,” said Sean Tinney, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Miller-Keystone. “However, we still need to collect approximately 450 units per day, 365 days per year, to meet the transfusion needs of our regional hospitals. The Boots vs. Badges vs. Bandages competition is a great way for the blood center to partner with our local heroes, and to thank them for the leadership they demonstrate every day in our community.”

Tinney noted that a single car accident victim can require as many as 50 pints of blood, while premature infants often receive blood transfusions during their stay in a neonatal intensive care unit. Cancer patients, meanwhile, are the largest user group of blood products, as they often require red cell and platelet transfusions during their course of chemotherapy treatment.

The public is invited to support the friendly competition by donating in honor of their favorite local hero.

Each organization has partnered with the blood center to recruit donors and raise awareness of the importance of blood donation. Individuals can donate at any MKBC donor center or community blood drive between May 25 and Sept. 7, and have their donation go towards their favorite first responder. When individuals arrive for their donation, they can either state the group or sponsor code of the heroes they would most like to support: Fire (Boots), Sponsor Code 7417; Police (Badges), Sponsor Code 7416; EMS (Bandages), Sponsor Code 7418.

To schedule an appointment at any MKBC donor center or blood drive, visit the Center’s website at GIVEaPINT.org.

Note: The information in this story is from a contributed news release.