Bloodworks launched the first-ever “Red vs. Blue Blood Drive,” today, pitting Seattle’s Police and Fire Departments (SPD and SFD, respectively) against each other in a friendly challenge to donate the most blood between June 17 and July 1. The city’s first responders know firsthand the importance of a strong, stable local blood supply, and are faced with situations every day where a pint of blood can mean the difference between life and death. Blood donors are the first first responders ensuring a stable blood supply for emergencies.
All staff, family, friends, and community members are encouraged to donate blood at any Bloodworks Northwest donor center or drive in honor of their chosen department; donors just have to say the code SPD or SFD during registration. Each donor will earn one point for their department, and first-time donors will receive five. When the challenge ends on July 1, each department’s donations will be tallied and a winner will be crowned, all while saving lives in the Seattle community.
This partnership between Seattle’s emergency services and Bloodworks is only natural; it’s all about saving lives. “Just one pint of donated blood can save three lives,” said Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best. “We are excited to partner with Bloodworks Northwest for a friendly rivalry between Seattle Police and Seattle Fire to see which organization can donate the most.”
Seattle Fire Department Chief Harold Scoggins also expressed how important blood donors are to our community. “As firefighters and paramedics, we see firsthand the importance of donating blood. Every two seconds, someone in the nation needs blood to survive – that someone could be your friend, your family member or a loved one. We encourage everyone to donate blood and help save lives.”
A strong blood supply is critical to our community. The donations at this drive will provide urgently-needed blood for emergencies at a time when the trauma units around our region typically experience high patient usage. People who receive the most blood include those being treated for cancer, undergoing surgeries, organ and marrow transplants, bleeding disorders, and trauma patients.
Donating blood only takes one hour from registration to cookie. Most people in good health, at least 18 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate whole blood every 56 days as long as you meet other donor criteria. Information at BloodworksNW.org.
Bloodworks Donor Centers & Drives:
Donors can find locations of donor centers and drives or make appointments online at BloodworksNW.org, by calling 800-398-7888, or by texting bloodapp to 91985 to download the Bloodworks App.
For more information, please contact:
John Yeager |425-765-9845 | JYeager@BloodworksNW.org
Karen Kirby | 206-689-6359 | karenk@bloodworksnw.org