"Heroes Behind the Badges" to Help Blood Supply in Tyler

The Tyler EMS and Tyler Fire Department will be competing to see who can recruit the most blood donors to boost the summer blood supply for the community in the 1st annual “Heroes Behind the Badges” blood drive.

The “friendly competition” between the departments will be held at Tyler Healthcare on Monday, August 24 from 11:00am to 1:30pm and 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The public is encouraged to come into donate and designate their donation to the department of their choice. All donors will receive special a special t-shirt and the satisfaction knowing you helped save a life this summer. The department credited with the most blood donations will receive a trophy and bragging rights for a year.

 

“The summer’s blood supply has been challenged, with several traumas throughout the summer and a decrease of donations by 25-30%. The success of this blood drive will ensure blood is available for patients of Tyler Healthcare.”, states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “We truly need people to donate blood at this blood drive to help keep the blood supply at adequate levels to be used for trauma, surgery, burn and cancer patients.”

 

Donors donating with Community Blood Bank for the first time are encouraged to bring information about previous donations with other blood banks. Community Blood Bank recognizes previous gallon markers reached with other blood banks; donors will not need to start all over accumulating their marker.

 

Donors must be 17 years of age or older (16years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 lbs. or more and be in good general health the day of the blood drive. Please bring an ID. It is recommended to eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating blood. Community Blood Bank is the sole blood provider for Tyler Healthcare and 28 other local hospitals. For more information or to make an appointment please call 247-2213. Walk-ins are welcome.