GREENVILLE - The fourth annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, which pits three Hunt County law enforcement groups against one another, is scheduled for this week.
Individuals donating blood during the Greenville Noon Rotary Club’s yearly Chili Fest on Thursday be able to vote for their favorite public safety agency between the Greenville Police Department, Greenville Fire Department and Hunt County Sheriff’s Department. Blood drives will take place at various locations Wednesday through Friday. See a list of locations below.
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The agency with the most votes will be awarded a trophy. Everyone that donates blood will receive a free T-shirt. In addition, those donating blood on Wednesday and Thursday will receive a free ticket to the Chili Fest that is being held on February 23, at the Landmark on Lee, across from the Greenville Police & Courts Building. Blood donors can also get two Dallas Stars tickets for the price of one.
Each donor will also be entered to win other Dallas Stars experiences, including a chance to sit in the Stars Penalty Box during pre-game warm ups. Fifty donors will win a pair of game-day tickets and ONE lucky donor will win luxury suite tickets – complete with food and beverages! Visit www.GameOnGiveBlood.org for more information.
Blood donors are often silent heroes – going about their lifesaving work without telling others. They are humble and generous people who give blood because they can and they want to help. This year, Carter BloodCare grants you ‘bragging rights’ and asks that you speak-up about giving blood. Tell someone you are a volunteer who gives blood to help sustain the community supply. Invite someone you know to give blood at the upcoming blood drive hosted by the Greenville Noon Rotary Club at the following locations and dates:
Wednesday, February 22
12:00 Noon – 6:00 p.m. Walmart – 7401 I-30
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. W. Walworth Harrison Public Library - #1 Lou Finney Lane
Thursday, February 23
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Greenville Police & Courts Building – 3000 Lee Street
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Hunt County Sheriff’s Department – 2801 Stuart Street
Friday, February 24
12:00 Noon – 6:00 p.m. Walmart – 7401 I-30
For more information and to register for an appointment time, go to the City of Greenville website at www.ci.greenville.tx.us/battle. of the blood at Carter BloodCare comes from volunteers. The non-profit blood center needs about 1,100 donors a day to meet the needs of patients in the healthcare facilities served. Thirty-seven percent of the population is eligible to give blood and only 10 percent are doing so. The blood is lifesaving for patients in car accidents and other emergencies. It is also vital to premature babies, cancer patients or people living with sickle cell disease – many of whom rely on multiple and frequent blood transfusions.
If you know someone who has undergone heart bypass surgery or hip replacement, that person probably received a blood transfusion. As a blood donor, you can be an essential part of someone’s recovery from surgery.
Potential donors can be 16 years old with a parent’s consent; 17-year-olds may donate independently and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. All donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and present a photo ID. Ideally, a donor should also eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before giving blood. For more information about donor eligibility, call Carter BloodCare at 1-800-DONATE-4 or visit carterbloodcare.org. Carter BloodCare’s volunteer donors provide lifesaving blood for patients at over 200 health care facilities in 56 counties in North, Central and East Texas. Carter BloodCare is the largest not-for profit 501(c) (3) community blood center in Texas and is accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and is a member of America’s Blood Centers. For more information about the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, call 903-457-3116.