LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Blood Centers of the Pacific is partnering with fire departments across Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties for the 11th annual Bucket Brigade Challenge.
The challenge runs from December through January and is a friendly competition to see which department can host the largest blood drive.
Fire departments taking part in the challenge enlist neighbors, co-workers, friends and family to donate lifesaving blood during the holiday season.
In Lake County, Lakeport Fire and South Lake County Fire will participate.
In Lakeport, the blood drive will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the truck bay of the Lakeport Fire downtown station, 445 N Main St.
In Middletown, South Lake County Fire will host the blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at its station, 21095 State Highway 175.
With the rainy weather, busy holiday schedules and flu season, winter is a challenging time for blood centers to receive the blood they need to save the lives of hospital patients.
“Blood Centers of the Pacific is grateful for the continued dedication of our fire personnel,” said BCP recruitment manager Andrea Casson. “For over 10 years, they have helped to keep our blood supply strong. Through the generosity of blood donors, the Bucket Brigade Challenge ultimately helps provide hope to local patients and their families.”
Since 2006, fire departments have recruited over 9,000 participants who donated thousands of units of blood for patients in Northern California hospitals.
Last year, Windsor Fire Protection District took home the coveted Bucket Trophy with 112 people registered, and Healdsburg Fire Department came in second with 70 registrants.
Capt. Dean Crothers of Windsor Fire said blood donation is full circle, adding “as a first responder it makes it more special, we can see the need at an emergency scene.”
Crothers encourages community participation: “I’m proud of the firefighters and proud of the community. Come down to Windsor Fire Protection District … we’ll save lives together, feed you, hang out and put the game on TV.”
The idea of the Bucket Brigade comes from the Great London Fire of 1666 that found community members in “brigades” as they passed buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the blaze that endangered their town and community.
This modern day Bucket Brigade gathers our community in an effort to save lives through blood donations.
Retired Fire Chief Doug Williams of Rincon Valley and Windsor Fire said, “To the firefighters, the Bucket Brigade is a continuation of supporting the community’s need to save lives. It is different than being hands-on with the fire hoses, but just as important to provide blood to the local hospitals. From our perspective, it is saving lives.”
Multiple fire departments are hosting blood drives. To find one near you, please see the complete list below. To make an appointment, visit www.bloodheroes.com or call 888.393.GIVE (4483). For your donation, please arrive well hydrated and nourished with photo identification. For eligibility information, visit www.bloodcenters.org . Donors will receive a special event T-shirt.
Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge aims to save thousands of lives
- Lake County News reports
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