Fort Collins heroes take on blood drive challenge in honor of 9/11

Community is invited to join friendly competition to save lives
By:
September 4, 2014

 

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Fort Collins Police Services has officially issued a challenge to other emergency workers to save lives through blood donation in honor of 9/11.

The first annual 9/11 Blood Drive Challenge is a friendly competition between the Fort Collins Police Services, Poudre Fire Authority and PVH EMS. The agency with the most blood donations made in its name between Sept. 8 and Sept. 11 wins the challenge, so they are asking the community for a little help.

There are two ways anyone can donate as part of this challenge.

AT THE GARTH ENGLUND BLOOD CENTER: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8-11, residents can donate blood at the Garth Englund Blood Donation Center, 1025 Pennock Place, Suite 104.

ON THE MOBILE HERO BUS: Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 S. Timberline Road, will host the mobile Hero Bus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11.

Points are awarded to an agency every time someone donates in its name.

Whole blood donation takes 30-40 minutes. Appointments for whole blood donations are not required but appreciated. Platelet donations, which require an appointment, take anywhere from 45-110 minutes, but they will be worth double points in the challenge.

Each blood donation can save three lives, according to Christina DiGiallondardo, University of Colorado Health’s blood donor recruiter. Blood donated through the challenge, as well as all blood donated through UCHealth’s Garth Englund Blood Center throughout the year, stays local. It helps patients at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland and Estes Park Medical Center.

When all of the donations are compiled, the agency that has the most donation point will win a traveling trophy and bragging rights.

“In the end, though, everyone wins,” said DiGiallondardo. “We know that 9/11 is a difficult time for many people. We are thrilled to give the community a way to give back and turn the day into something better.”

For more details or to schedule an appointment for platelet donation, call 970.495.8965.

Contact: Kelly Tracer 970.237.7114 or [email protected]

TWO LOCATIONS TO GIVE

  • Sept. 8-11: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Garth Englund Blood Donation Center, 1025 Pennock Place, Suite 104, Fort Collins.
  • Sept. 11: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the mobile Hero Bus at the Fort Collins Police Services building, 2221 S. Timberline Road, Fort Collins.

FOR MORE

  • For more details or to schedule an appointment: Call 970.495.8965.

About UCHealth

UCHealth is a Front Range health system that delivers the highest quality patient care with the highest quality patient experience. University of Colorado Health combines Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, University of Colorado Hospital and a network of more than 40 medical clinics into one organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. UCHealth partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine and numerous community organizations to provide care. Separately, these institutions can continue providing superior care to patients and service to the communities they serve. Together, they push the boundaries of medicine, attracting more research funding, hosting more clinical trials and improving health through innovation.

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