Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Contact: Ken Versteeg, Community Blood Bank, 331-3226 or 360-4560 Rita Nelson, Community Blood Bank, 331-3222

“13th Annual Heroes Behind the Badges” Making the Difference in Holiday Blood Supply

Sioux Falls, SD- Sioux Falls Fire Rescue and Sioux Falls Police Department compete to see which department can recruit the most blood donors for Community Blood Bank in the 13th Annual “Heroes Behind the Badges”.

The “friendly competition” between the two departments kicks off December 26, running through January 9th. The public is encouraged to come into either Sanford Medical Center (333-6444) or Avera McKennan Hospital (322-7111) donor rooms and designate their blood donation to the department of their choice. Donors can choose a specially designed “police” or “fire” t-shirt for signing up to donate at the donor rooms, while supplies last.

The department with the most donations will contribute $350.00 to the charity of their choice; second place will donate $150.00. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue has designated Children’s Home Society, and Sioux Falls Police Department has designated Special Olympics of South Dakota. Last year it was the Sioux Falls Police Department taking the narrow victory over the Sioux Fire Rescue with 391 vs. 355 units.

The public can donate at various blood drives hosted by both departments.

• Wednesday, December 26th – (S.F. Police Hosted) Donate blood at Qdoba (57th & Louise Ave.) from 7am – 12pm. All donors receive a buy one entrée get one free.

• Wednesday, December 26th –(S.F Fire Rescue Hosted) Donate blood at Original Pancake House(41st & Kiwanis) from 6:30am to 1:00pm. All donors receive a coupon good for a short stack of pancakes.

• Friday, December 28th – (S.F. Fire Rescue and S.F. Police Hosted) Donate blood at the Sioux Falls Arena from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. All donors will receive (4) tickets to the Skyforce game vs. Colorado (compliments of Sioux Falls Skyforce).

“This time of year is extremely difficult to maintain an adequate blood supply,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “This blood drive event provides the public a chance to say “thank you” to police and fire personnel and helps hundreds of patients in the hospital during the holidays.”

Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 lbs or more and be in good general health. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluids prior to donate blood. Please bring an ID with you. For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or call (605) 331-3222.