Blood banks, Team Liberty gain wins in friendly competition for a good cause
Its been a friendly competition all for good cause that is today at the Folsom Police Department, the Battle of the Badges, a blood drive amongst the Folsom Police Department and Folsom Fire Department got off to a great start to help stock area blood banks that are in great need of supply.
Hosted by Vitalant, the unique event this event brought together a 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 were 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 were happy to receive a commemorative Battle of the Badges t-shirt but that’s not all that’s happening, everyone who donated at the event also got 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, were going head-to-head here in a special election that allows donors to vote for their favorite four-legged hero.
While bragging rights were 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
Wolfe told Folsom Times at the event that Vitalant prepared for 37 time slots for the drive. As of late Wednesday morning they already had 35 donors committed. She also urged those wanting to donate that could not get in on Wednesday to consider donating at another upcoming event or to sign up to donate at their Folsom facility. As the need for blood is crucial continuously.
As for the results of the favorite department therapy dog completion, those were carefully counted and it was announced later in the day that Team Liberty got the most votes as the favorite therapy dog of Folsom, although the true winner of the event is Vitalant and the many people that will benefit from the much needed blood donations.
“The inaugural Battle of the Badges between Team Libertyand Team Blitz was a great success,” Wolfe said. “The summer season is a very difficult season to collect blood so this blood drive was especially welcomed.”
Visit Vitalant.org or call 877.82.VITAL to find a convenient location to donate blood soon. The Vitalant donation center in Folsom is located at 150 Natoma Station Dr.
Folsom Times photos by Adam Frick