First responders compete to help patients in need ahead of busy summer season
West Springfield firefighters and police are on the same team when it comes to saving lives, but the two departments will duke it out all for a good cause during an American Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, June 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Springfield Council on Aging.
Town Outreach Coordinator and valued Red Cross blood drive host, Carly Camossi, will once again join in on the fun, making it a 3-way competition to see who can recruit the most eligible donors to give blood in support of their team. The West Springfield Battle of the Badges is a great way to encourage community members to perform their own heroic act- and potentially save lives- with a blood donation. All presenting donors will get to cast a vote to help decide the winner.
“Fire and police units know first-hand how important it is to have blood readily available for emergencies,” said Alyson Barraza, communications manager for the Massachusetts Blood Services Region. “By hosting this blood drive, these fire and police departments, along with Carly, are helping ensure that blood is on the shelves before it is needed.”
The West Springfield Battle of the Badges blood drive is sponsored by Suburban Propane, a proud national sponsor of the American Red Cross Blood Services. Suburban Propane is helping to increase awareness of the constant need for blood and platelet donations as we head into the summer months, when donations often drop.
All those who come to donate at the West Springfield Battle of the Badges can enjoy an on-site cookout and get a $10 Visa gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane. To learn more about Suburban Propane’s community involvement, visit suburbanpropane.com.
West Springfield Battle of the Badges
Saturday, June 3, 2017
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
West Springfield Council on Aging
128 Park Street, West Springfield
To make an appointment for Battle of the Badges, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit
redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: WSBATTLE) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit
redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit
redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit
redcross.org or
cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at
@RedCross.
