JAX Chamber: LifeSouth Community Blood Centers Announces 2022 Battle Of The Badges

Jacksonville FL

09 May, 2022

12:36 PM

Description

Press release from the JAX Chamber: May 6, 2022 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — May 06, 2022 — LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is pleased to announce the 2022 Battle of the Badges, a blood drive competition challenging first responders across the First Coast to donate. All first responder organizations across Northeast Florida are welcome to participate throughout the month of May at LifeSouth blood donor centers and blood drives. Battle of the Badges will conclude on May 31, 2022; the winner will be announced in June. "First responders know firsthand the importance of hospitals having ready access to blood products in the event of an emergency," said Angela Byrd, District Director of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers Northeast Florida. "We are grateful to partner with first responders across Northeast Florida in the Battle of the Badges and for their dedication and service to our community every day." In Florida, the state is hovering between a two- and one-day blood supply or less, according to America's Blood Centers (ABC). Hospitals in Jacksonville are seeing an increase in blood usage for patient care, and blood donors of all types are urged to donate soon to meet the increased need. All blood types are needed to help support the local blood supply, ensuring hospitals have the blood required on a daily basis to treat trauma cases, surgical procedures and patients needing blood transfusions. Battle of the Badges is an opportunity for first responders to provide the First Coast with lifesaving service, in addition to the vital work they do across Northeast Florida day in and day out. All Battle of the Badges participants will receive a free Battle of the Badges tee shirt and a $10 e-gift card. The winner of the competition will receive a plaque celebrating their accomplishment, as well as bragging rights. Participating organizations include Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, Baker County Sheriff's Office, and James I. Montgomery Correctional Center. Northeast Florida first responder organizations can register for drives throughout the month by contacting James Skahn, at 904-586-5090 or [email protected] (ASAP, time is running out!) Participating First Responder Drives: May 10: ● Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Headquarters, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 12: ● Baker County Sheriff's Office, 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. May 13: ● James I. Montgomery Correctional Center, 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. May 16: ● Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Zone 5 Substation, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. May 16: ● Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Zone 6 Substation, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Donors can also participate by visiting LifeSouth's Northeast Florida donor centers. *Special Battle of the Badges event t-shirts are not guaranteed at Julington or Fleming donor centers. Call ahead to confirm. Where to Donate: Northeast Florida Donor Center (7840 Baymeadows Way): ● Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ● Wednesday hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ● Saturday hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fleming Island Donor Center (1605 County Rd. 220, Unit 160) ● Wednesday/Thursday/Friday hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. ● Saturday/Sunday hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ● $20 e-gift card for all donors Julington Creek Donor Center (445 SR 13, Suite 25) ● Tuesday - Friday hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. ● Saturday hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ● $20 e-gift card for all donors LifeSouth currently supplies blood products to 70% of hospital beds in Northeast Florida. Blood donors who give with LifeSouth serve patients at Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Baptist Medical Center South, UF Health Jacksonville, UF Health North, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital and Wolfson Children's Hospital. For more information, including donor eligibility requirements, visit lifesouth.org. ### About LifeSouth: LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 125 hospitals in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org. Media Contact: Nan Kavanaugh [email protected] 904-415-0051 This press release was produced by the JAX Chamber. The views expressed here are the author's own.