A home fire or gunfire. Car crashes and drunk drivers.

Local police officers and firefighters see first-hand the need for blood donations every day. Thatís why they are teaming up in a friendly competition to make sure that there is enough blood to meet the demands of the Valleyís emergencies.

Firefighters, Police, Sheriff, CHP, EMTs, Corrections, Forestry and other emergency personnel, will compete to bring in the most donations at the 7th Annual South Valley Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. The public is encouraged to donate on behalf of any participating law enforcement, fire, or emergency organization.

ìEmergency personnel are more familiar with the fragility of life and the need for blood donations than most,î states Dean Eller, President and CEO of the Central California Blood Center. ìWe appreciate everything they do, and now with this blood drive, they are going above and beyond the call of duty, yet again.î

Farmersville Police Sgt. John Olmos worked with Det. Kent Haws just hours before he was fatally shot on Dec. 17.Ý Olmos helped serve a search warrant that morning in Tulare, which was the culmination of an investigation he had began. Prior to the search that morning, Olmos said he had talked about his son getting the lead role in the school play.Ý

ìNobody thought that was the last day we would see Kent alive,î Olmos said.ÝìYou never know when a loved one or someone you know will need the blood that you donate. ÝIt could be your child, your husband, your wife, a friend, or a complete stranger.ÝNo matter who it is, it is a small price to pay for a possible second chance at life.î

Exeter won the Battle of the Badges in 2002, after nearly 150 people donated in honor of Rick Grimsley, an Exeter Police Officer who lost both of his legs after being hit by a drunk driver while on duty. The blood drive occurred just days after the wreck while Grimsley remained in critical condition at Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia.

Officer David Diaz, who was a police explorer at the time, said that the goal is to get people to donate when there is not a local tragedy brining the issue to the front of everyoneís mind.

ìSo many people have the ability to donate but donít realize how important it is until someone they know needs blood,î Diaz said. ìThere is a constant need for blood and they can only keep it for so long, so people should donate whenever they can.î

Diaz said he tries to donate every eight weeks, even before Grimsleyís accident.

ìI donít really focus on donating blood for any one reason, I just like to help the community out in any way I can,î he said. ìGiving blood is one way to help a lot of people that you may never even meet.î

Engineer D.J. Noe with the Lindsay Fire Department said he has been donated every two months since he was 18 years old. While last yearís blood drive only drew about 26 people, Noe said he is doing more this year to get the word out in the community.

ìLindsay is nearly 12,000 people so I at least want to see double or triple that amount of people here,î he said. ìIt is important for everyone in the community to come because there is such a need for blood and for different types.î

Noe said as a firefighter he sees accidents and wrecks all the time where he knows people will require blood, but that is only a fraction of the people with illnesses and diseases who need blood every hour of every day.

ìItís unfortunate when something horrific like a bad car wreck happens, but there are so many other people that need blood,î Noe said.

In over 30 years of fighting fires, Woodlake Fire Chief Jose Perez has never personally had to donate blood to save someone he knew. But over that same time, he has seen plenty of strangers who needed blood, something he never hesitates to do.

ìBlood is the most human gift,î Perez said. ìIt canít be bought and it doesnít grow on trees but almost every person on Earth can give it away. It is the gift of life.î

Perez said that everyone in Woodlake who is able to donate blood should come and give a little of their time.

ìIt doesnít cost you any money but you can save so many people by just giving some of your time,î Perez said. ìNo matter how rich or poor you are, everyone can afford to donate blood.î

ìDonating during the holiday season can be a challenge with more hectic than usual schedules. However, the need for blood increases during this time,î states Chris Sorensen, Director of Community Relations and Development for Central California Blood Center. ìPlease, try to set aside just one hour, today, or very soon, and give the gift of life. If you have never donated, celebrate your good health and everyone you hold dear, by giving. Patients in Valley hospitals need your generous ìgift of life.î

A perpetual trophy will go to the group with the highest percentage of donations, versus number of employees, in Kings County and another in Tulare County, in addition, a special trophy will be awarded to the correctional facility with the most donations.

The drive begins, Monday, November 3 and runs through to Tuesday, November 11, during regular operating hours, at the Central California Blood Centers in Visalia, Porterville, and at various mobile drive sites across the South Valley. All donors will receive a commemorative South Valley Battle of the Badges T-shirt and a variety of great donor reward coupons. The public is encouraged to donate on behalf of any participating group.

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.

Donation Stations

The drive begins, Monday, November 3 and runs through to Tuesday, November 11, during regular operating hours, at the Central California Blood Centers in Visalia, Porterville, and at various mobile drive sites across the South Valley. All donors will receive a commemorative South Valley Battle of the Badges T-shirt and a variety of great donor reward coupons. The public is encouraged to donate on behalf of any participating group.

Also, at select locations there will be special festivities, including food and special guests:

-Nov. 3-11

Central California Blood Center

8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

1515 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia Central California Blood Center

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

93 N. Main St., Porterville

-Thursday, Nov. 6

Strathmore High School

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

22568 Avenue 196, Strathmore

Contact Ryan Born, 300-4738

-Monday, Nov. 10

Exeter Boys & Girls Club

3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

360 E. Pine St., Exeter

Contact Chris Maurer,

Woodlake Fire Department

3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

216 E. Naranjo Blvd.,Woodlake

Lindsay Fire Department

3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

251 E. Honolulu St., Lindsay

-Tuesday, Nov. 18

Ash Mountain Headquarters

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers

-Wednesday, Nov. 26

Farmersville High School

7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

631 E. Walnut Ave., Farmersville

Contact Rachel Chapman, 594-4567, ext 103

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