Deputies at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station are urging the public to participate in a much-needed blood drive on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
"We are inviting the entire community to help Crescenta Valley Station have a successful and much needed blood drive. Last year, we were able to achieve our goal of over 30 donations," according to Sheriff's Sgt. Burton Brink in a prepared news release.
The Red Cross Blood Mobile will be parked at the station’s parking lot, 4554 Briggs Ave. La Crescenta on February 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"The Seventh Annual Battle of the Badges is an opportunity for all badge carrying personnel, including friends and family, to positively impact our community by competing in a friendly competition to see which agency can donate the most blood and ultimately save the most lives," Brink said.
Blood donated during this event can have a substantial impact on the availability of blood for accident victims, cancer patients, premature babies and burn patients, he said.
In the 2012 Battle of the Badges campaign, 5,178 donors were recruited by the U.S. Probation Office and participating law enforcement agencies. The goal for 2013 is to have 5,500 donors for this year's campaign.
"The American Red Cross is in urgent need of type B negative blood donors. As a donor with this blood type, you have blood that is quite rare. You share your blood type with only about 2 percent of the U.S. population. Now that flu season is affecting donors across the nation, the number of healthy B negative blood donors available to help sustain the blood supply may decrease," he said.
Type B negative blood demand is currently outpacing donations and has created an urgent need, he said.
"If you are healthy and feeling well, please schedule an appointment to donate and help save lives now. Hospital patients are counting on the generosity of donors like you," Brink said.
To donate blood or schedule a time contact Deputy Jorge Valdivia at 818-236-4021 or email him at Jvaldiv@LASD.org. For more information, visit www.RedCrossBattleoftheBadges.org.
