Event now underway, continues until 2 p.m Wednesday
It’s a friendly competition all for good cause that is underway today at the Folsom Police Department, the Battle of the Badges, a blood drive amongst the Folsom Police Department and Folsom Fire Department to help stock area blood banks that are in great need of supply.
Hosted by Vitalant, the unique event this event is bringing together lively blend of community spirit and friendly competition among local first responders and two of their furriest members of the force.
Most importantly, Wednesday’s participants are donating blood in an effort to contribute to a critical need for local blood banks, which have been running low on supplies as of late nationwide as regular donors tend to fall short in the summer months each year.
In addition to their vital contribution, donors are recievng a commemorative Battle of the Badges t-shirt but that’s not all that’s happening, everyone who donates at the event gets to be part of a competition between the Folsom Police and Fire Departments.
While the tally of the blood donations is by far of most importance, there’s also a friendly face-off between two cherished therapy dogs. Blitz, the Folsom Fire Department’s therapy dog from Hearts4HeroesUSA, and Liberty, the Folsom Police Department’s therapy dog supported by the Folsom Police Foundation, are going head-to-head here in a special election that allows donors to vote for their favorite four-legged hero.
While bragging rights are on the line for the winning department, the real winners will be the local blood banks and the individuals in need of donations. Vicki Wolfe, Communications Manager for Vitalant, underscored the importance of all blood types due to their perishable nature and the current emergency shortage of Type O blood.
“Our fire and law enforcement agencies understand the need for blood, they help people in motor vehicle and recreational accidents, gun violence situations, those in cancer treatment, and those with childbirth complications, burn injuries, and more,” Wolfe shared with Folsom Times.
Vitalant has reported an emergency shortage of Type O blood, the first blood emergency doctors reach for in life-and-death situations. Wolfe noted that all blood types are needed because blood is perishable and needs to be constantly replenished
Today’s event continues until 2 p.m. and it’s not too late to donate. Information about donating and available appointment times can be found HERE if you want to save time with registration additional information can be found at 877-258-4825.
As for the results of the favorite department therapy dog completion, those will be carefully counted later in the day, Check back here for the results!
Folsom Times photos by Adam Frick
<p>The post Folsom’s Battle of the Badges blood drive draws eager donors first appeared on Folsom Times.</p>