WESTFIELD – Noble Hospital will hold the 4th Blood Wars – Guns vs. Hoses Blood Drive on Thursday, March 12 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Westfield Police and Fire Departments will go arm to arm to help the Noble Hospital/Baystate Health Blood Donor Program. To show their community support in a friendly challenge, the two groups will roll up their sleeves to see who can donate the most blood. Donations will occur in the Donor Lab and Blood Mobile.
“What makes this event different from many of the other local blood drives is that the blood collected will be used at Noble Hospital to help people in the greater Westfield area. We’re excited about the upcoming event, and feel that it is a great opportunity for the Westfield Police and Fire departments to join forces with Noble Hospital for the benefit of our community,” says Allison Gearing-Kalill, vice president of Community development. “Blood collected in excess of Noble’s need will go into the regional ‘pool’ and will help defer costs when we have to purchase needed blood. Blood donations help Noble Hospital save money as well as lives.”
“The Police Department is willing to bleed for its community,” said WPD Captain Michael McCabe. “We’re willing to put our arms where our mouths are.”
The winning team will receive the Blood Donor Challenge Cup — a trophy recognizing the winning team’s accomplishment. The Westfield Police are the defending champions, having won the previous three Blood Wars. Each donor receives a gift from the Baystate Health Blood Donor Program and a Noble Hospital swag bag.
Blood donations take approximately one hour to complete, including the interview, donation, and refreshments. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have a valid photo ID, be in good health, and have not donated blood within the past eight weeks. People who have had the flu vaccine or flu mist are allowed to donate.
If you would like to donate blood, the Noble Donor Center is open on Wednesdays from and Thursdays from 7 a.m. – 3p.m. Appointments and pre-registration are recommended but walk-ins are also welcome. To make an appointment, call the Blood Donor Center at (413) 794-4600.
