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THE FRESNO POLICE
DEPARTMENT CAPTURES A FIFTH WIN WHILE THE STATE
CENTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT POLICE
DEPARTMENT PROVES TO BE A FIRST TIME CHAMP OF
THE 7th ANNUAL NORTH VALLEY
BATTLE OF THE BADGES
BLOOD DRIVE
A record 2,356
donors turned out to give blood, that’s 449 more
than last year’s drive. The Fresno Police
Department brought in the highest number of
donors overall while the State Center Community
College District Police Department had the
highest percentage (of blood donors versus staff
size) and staff at Valley State Prison for
Women, in Chowchilla, gave the most donations
from a correctional facility for the 4th
year in a row.
FRESNO, CA –
The
Central California Blood Center would like to
thank all donors who took part, as well as the
administration and departments of the various
law enforcement agencies and other badge
carrying emergency personnel. Special thanks
also goes to KGPE, Channel 47 for sponsoring
this nine-day life-saving blood drive as the
Blood Center begins to prepare for the Memorial
Day Weekend and expected increased usage.
The men and women
who put their lives on the line everyday to
ensure our safety annually face off in a
friendly competition to save lives by giving of
themselves, literally, and donating blood. It
was all part of the 7th Annual Battle
of the Badges Blood Drive. As in past years,
Firefighters, Police, Forestry, Sheriff,
Corrections, Fish & Game, Highway Patrol and
other badge-carrying emergency personnel
competed for bragging rights, and a perpetual
trophy. And, this year, the winners were the
Fresno Police Department, who won the “Most
Donors Overall” award, and the State Center
Community College District Police Department,
who received the “Highest Percentage of Donors”
award. The winner of the “Most Donations from
a Correctional Facility” award goes to the staff
of Valley State Prison for Women. Competition
was fierce between Coalinga State Hospital,
Pleasant Valley State Prison, Central California
Women’s Facility and Valley State Prison for
Women.
Blood donation
takes less than one hour to complete. Donors
must be in good general health, weigh a minimum
of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old.
Senior citizens are encouraged to donate, as
there is no upper age limit. Donors should eat a
good meal and drink plenty of water within 4
hours prior to their donation. Donors can give
blood every eight weeks. Photo ID and Social
Security Number are required at donor
registration.
The Central
California Blood Center is the sole provider of
blood and blood products for the 31 hospitals in
Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa
Counties and must collect between 5,000 to 6,000
pints of blood a month to meet the needs of our
Valley community.
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