NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage as severe winter weather has further impacted the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Blood donors are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.
The Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is a great chance to do that and it starts Saturday and continues Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Hutchinson.
"We come together every year," said Captain Troy Mueller of the Hutchinson Fire Department. "It's always kind of a fun little banter back and forth, to do the Battle of the Badges, but the bigger picture is just trying to get people out to give blood and be able to help out."
Due to widespread winter weather conditions, nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected this month alone.
"The shortage just keeps happening," said Tiffany Davison with the Red Cross. "We also are currently facing the lowest number of people giving in 20 years. Over the past 20 years, the number of people who have donated blood to the Red Cross has fallen nearly 40%."
If you have time in the middle of next week, giving would be appreciated then.
"Tuesday and Wednesday would be great days for people to make appointments and help us fill in and kind of even out," Davison said. "Those days are kind of a little lower, so if you could come on Tuesday or Wednesday, that would be fantastic. All presenting donors will receive a Battle of the Badges T-shirt. You're on a chance to win a trip to the Super Bowl."
For details on the giveaway, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Hutchinson Community Battle of Badges Blood Drive dates include:
January 27 New Covenant Presbyterian Church 700 E 25th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502
Room Name: Fellowship Hall
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
January 29 First Presbyterian Church 201 E Sherman, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Room Name: Gym
Noon – 6:30 p.m.
January 30 First Presbyterian Church 201 E Sherman, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Room Name: Gym
11:30 am – 5:30 p.m.
January 31 First Presbyterian Church 201 E Sherman, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Room Name: Gym
7:00 am – 1:00 p.m.
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