The Coffee Memorial Blood Center kicked off its 17th annual Boots and Badges blood drive collaboration Friday with first responders from its local fire and police departments.
The Amarillo Police and Fire Departments have worked diligently to support blood donations for the region, with friendly competitions that encourage people to give the lifesaving gift of blood. Blood has a shelf life of about 42 days before it expires under refrigeration, and there is always a need for donations in the Texas Panhandle and nationwide.
Friday’s kickoff event featured members of various first responder agencies giving the public a close-up look at their various vehicles, a cookout, and special giveaways. The blood drive continues for the next several weeks.
Public information officers for the Amarillo Police Department, Cpl. Carmela Ogden and Sgt. Carla Burr, spoke about the importance of the department supporting the blood drive effort.
“This was started years ago with the collaboration of Sgt. Tim Williams, a SWAT team working with Suzanne Talley of the 100 Club to be part of a good cause,” Ogden said. “In any competition, nobody wants to lose, and in reality, we all win when we get people to donate blood. It is all about saving lives, and we try to do that on a daily basis however we can.”
Burr spoke about the friendly competition aspect of the blood drive.
“Our police association got together with the fire association to get people to support this very important cause,” Burr said. “People just come out as they give blood and voice their support for the boots or the badges while helping others. We want to support our community and have a little fun doing it.”
Burr said that it is important that if people could not get out Friday, it is important to give as often as you can to help others in need.
Jason Love, a community officer liaison for the Amarillo Fire Department, spoke about the friendly competition.
“What better way to get people out to donate than to spur them with some a competition of cops versus firemen,” he said. “People like to see a good competition, and what better way than to give them a good rivalry? We use this to motivate people to come out and help others.”
Love said, especially this time of year with the Fourth of July coming up, there is a great need for blood to serve the region.
“So, we start this every year around this time because the holiday unfortunately leads to lots of accidents, trauma and things like that,” Love said. “This really stresses the blood supply. This competition normally brings around 600 units of blood into the local supply.”
According to Love, this competition's success has spread to places like Oklahoma City and Little Rock, Arkansas.
“This model is going all over the place, and it's great to be a part of helping others,” Love said. “It is all about the community and helping others. First responders in this area are all about bringing people together to support each other. We need to ensure a healthy blood supply to any that may need it.”
Christy Manley, a blood donor at the event, spoke about why it is important to give blood.
“The community is always in need, and I think it's very important to do my part,” she said. “I might need help at some point in life, and it's important to be there for others.”
The Boots and Badges blood drive continues through August so that donors can choose their favorite as they donate blood.
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