Allentown firefighters, police set blood drive competition

The Allentown Fire Department and Allentown Police Department will face off in a friendly competition to see which city department can get the most people to donate blood.

Miller-Keystone Blood Center, with the two departments, is holding the Boots and Badges Blood Drive on Feb. 4-15 at Miller-Keystone’s Hamilton Donor Center in Five City Center, 740 Hamilton St., Suite 120, Allentown.

Registering donors are being asked to pick which department they are siding with, according to a release from Miller-Keystone.

“The Allentown Fire Department and Allentown Police Department understand the importance of blood donation, and the goal of the friendly Boots and Badges competition is not only to save lives, but to demonstrate and inspire others to give the gift of life as well,” said Dara Gonzalez, spokesperson for Miller-Keystone.

Miller-Keystone Blood Center is a provider to 35 regional hospitals including those operated by Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network. To meet the needs of the region it serves, it must collect from roughly 350 blood donors per day.

“These donations save the lives of not only accident victims, but also cancer patients, premature babies, surgery and transplant patients, and individuals with inherited blood disorders such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease,” Gonzalez said.

However, blood banks like Miller-Keystone are facing challenges. Blood donations slow down during wintertime due to factors such as inclement weather, accidents and seasonal illnesses.

The U.S. is facing a blood shortage. Last month, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage, with the organization stating that donations were lower than at any other time in the past 20 years.

Those who want to donate as part of the Boots and Badges competition should register either by calling 800-B-A-DONOR or going to giveapint.org. Donors should include a note with either Group ID E186 for the police department or Group ID E187 for the fire department.

Donors must be 16 or older or have parental consent. They also must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, not feel ill, and must not have donated in the last eight weeks. Valid ID is required. Other guidelines can be found on Miller Keystone’s website.