WESTFIELD-Since 2013, employees of the Westfield Police and Westfield Fire departments have taken up a challenge – to see who can recruit more blood donors and lay claim to the Baystate Health Blood War Champions trophy.
“The Westfield Police Department won the trophy for the first two years,” said Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan, noting her department has retained the trophy since that time.
Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan accepts the trophy from Baystate Health Blood Donor Program phlebotomist Sandi Forni during a blood drive that pitted Westfield Fire and Westfield Police departments to see who could garner more donors. (Submitted photo)
With summer in full swing, donating blood tends to drop off the radar for area residents as they make vacation plans, and to address the need for more donors, the departments are conducting “Blood Donor Challenge Take Two.” The departments had conducted a donor challenge on March 19 and the fire department was the winner with the most donors recruited.
“There are two great things about this blood drive,” said Amy Benson, recruiter, Baystate Health Blood Donor Program. “First, the Westfield Police and Westfield Fire departments are joining forces to help increase blood donors to their local hospitals during a time when blood donations tend to decline due to the summer holiday. Secondly, eligible donors will receive a free Big E ticket and all from the community are welcome to participate in this challenge.”
The blood donor challenge, which is open to the public, is slated for July 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; July 3, noon to 4 p.m.; July 5, noon to 6 p.m., and July 6, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Baystate Noble’s Blood Donor Center located at 115 West Silver St.
When someone from the public donates blood, they will be asked if their donation is on behalf of the Westfield Fire Department or the Westfield Police Department, added Benson.
“It is so important for area residents to donate blood locally with the Baystate Health blood donor program because 100% of the blood collected supports all patients at Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Medical Center Level 1 Trauma Center, Baystate Mary Lane, Baystate Franklin, Baystate Wing, Baystate Children’s Hospital, and the D’Amour Cancer Center for Care,” said Benson.
Benson noted that the summer months are a “critical time” for hospitals to maintain a constant blood supply on hand.
“It is nice to know that your blood donation is helping someone right here in the community,” said Benson. “You could be helping a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or even that person you drove by this morning. You just never know who might need this life-saving gift right here in our very own community.”
Regan echoed those sentiments.
“We know how important donating blood is because we see a lot of medical issues during our shifts,” said Regan, noting that because of the four shifts in her department, there are also friendly competitions between shifts on who will garner the most recruits.
Westfield Police Chief John Camerota concurred.
“Firefighters are known as the finest and the police are known as the bravest so we will see who is the best at recruiting donors,” said Camerota. “We encourage the public to support this challenge and I will also be encouraging our department’s families as well to donate blood.”
Guidelines for donating blood include weighing at least 110 pounds and being 17 years or older. Also, donors cannot have had tattoos or body piercings within the last 12 months with the exception of ear lobes done in a sterile environment more than 30 days prior to donating blood.
“Donors need to be feeling healthy and well with no colds or sore throats,” said Benson. “We are also in the height of allergy season so if a donor is experiencing allergy symptoms, be sure to take allergy medication prior to donating blood to be symptom free.”
Lastly, Benson said all eligible donors must bring a photo ID and have had plenty to eat and drink prior to donating blood.
Walk-ins will be welcome during the blood donor hours, however, reservations can also be made by calling (413) 794-4600.
“The need for blood donations never takes a vacation,” said Benson.
