Dear Editor,
It is time again for Red Cross Battle ofthe Badges Blood Drive. This means local law enforcement will “battle” with local firefighters and EMS to see who can give the most blood.
EMS personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement officers give time to the community; they give a sense of security to residents; and they often give blood too. As local heroes to many, their courage in the face of adversity bolsters people in need.
But the battle just isn’t for police officers and fire fighters, anyone can get involved in the fun by donating blood and voting for a favorite team. But choose your vote carefully, it might just come up the next time you’re trying to get out of that speeding ticket or when you need to get your cat out of the neighbor’s tree!
Join the Battle of the Badges and donate at the Great Bend Community Blood Drive on Monday from 11:30 a.m to 6:30 p.m. at St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker.
Come get your Battle of the Badges T-shirt with your donation and a chance to win a $250 gas card. When this contest is over, the Battle of the Badges winner gets bragging right and a big trophy. But most important, hospital patients throughout Great Bend are winners because they get the life-saving blood they need to survive.
Anyone can become a hero during Battle of the Badges. This is your choice and your chance. Give blood!
How to donate blood: Simply call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment today. Walk-ins are welcome at this drive. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains and adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with a completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors younger than 19. Visit bloodisneeded.org to learn more.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters, provides nearly half of the nations blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity not a government agency and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.
Corry Herrman,
Blood Drive coordinator,
Great Bend