Community members are invited to cast their vote for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or the Norristown Police and Fire departments by coming out to donate blood.
NORRISTOWN, PA — The Montgomery County Commissioners have re-issued a challenge to the Sheriff’s Office and Norristown’s Police and Fire departments to see who can recruit the most eligible community blood donors for their annual American Red Cross “Battle of the Badges” blood drive.
The drive will take place on Tuesday, June 7 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Norristown Recreation Center, 1101 Harding Blvd. All those who come out to donate will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code Norristown BOB or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition that helps the Red Cross meet patient and hospital demand for blood. When donors arrive at the blood drive, they will have the opportunity to cast a vote for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or the Norristown Police and Fire departments. The winning agency gets bragging rights and a plaque.
Since its inception in 2018, members of the community have generously donated 251 pints of blood at Norristown Battle of the Badges blood drives. While the Police and Fire departments won each annual competition, the real winners are the hundreds of patients and their families who benefited from lifesaving blood transfusions.
As summer nears, blood donations are critically important to maintain a stable blood supply. When schools let out and families set off on vacation, the Red Cross typically sees a decline in donors, often leading to a seasonal blood shortage.
In honor of the new Baz Luhrmann film, Elvis, all who come to give in the month of June will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP trip to Graceland for two, including round-trip airfare to Memphis, plus a three-night stay at The Guest House and Elvis Entourage VIP tour, courtesy of Graceland, a custom-wrapped Gibson Epiphone guitar and more. Additionally, those who come to donate June 1-30 will also receive a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.*
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
*Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/elvismovie
PHOTO: Norristown Police Chief Derrick Wood (left) and Norristown Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell (center) prepare to compete to Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny. Photo by Oscar Gamble