This article was originally published on heraldchronicle.com
On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Tullahoma Police Department and the Tullahoma Fire Department will compete in a “Battle of the Badges” blood drive in an effort to encourage the Tullahoma community to donate blood at Blood Assurance, the local non-profit blood center. The community may donate blood at the Tullahoma Blood Assurance center from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. and specify if their donation supports the police or fire department. The organization that brings in the most blood donors for the day wins a trophy to display at their station as well as bragging rights. Bojangles’ will be providing breakfast and lunch for the blood drive, and all donors will receive an “I Bleed” collegiate football t-shirt as a thank you for donating blood. Blood Assurance encourages family and friends of local first responders to participate and help save local patients’ lives by donating blood.
“Our mission is to protect our community, and we see firsthand the immediate need for blood each and every day. Whether it’s a car wreck, or a trauma of some sort, victims require blood right away and that blood is readily available because our community selflessly chooses to donate and help save lives,” said Tullahoma Police Chief Paul Blackwell.
Blood Assurance is the sole blood supplier to Tennova Healthcare-Harton. Every donation of blood, which contains plasma, red blood cells and platelets, is used to save up to three lives of any age, including premature babies, oncology patients, trauma victims and many more. The organization relies on the complimentary donations of community members to help save local patients’ lives across the region.
“We are thrilled to partner with Blood Assurance and help support their lifesaving mission which aligns with our mission of saving lives in the community,” said Tullahoma Fire Chief Richard Shasteen. “We ask all of the community to come out to the Battle of the Badges blood drive and help us supply the blood needed for our local hospital patients.”
The Blood Assurance Tullahoma donor center is located at 604 North Jackson St, near Walgreens at Wilson Ave. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. as well as the third Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. until Noon. To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 18 years old (17 and 16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids – avoiding caffeine – and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.
For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, please visit www.bloodassurance.org or call (931)-461-5773. For the latest Blood Assurance news and updates, follow @BloodAssurance on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance is a non-profit, full-service regional blood center serving 51 counties and more than 76 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council, and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need. Blood Assurance is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.