BLOOD CENTERS OF THE PACIFIC ANNOUNCES
8TH ANNUAL BUCKET BRIGADE CHALLENGE WINNER
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Santa Rosa, CA – Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP) today announced the winner of the 8th Annual Bucket Brigade Challenge, in which participating fire departments and their communities donate blood in an effort to boost the local blood supply, earn the coveted title for their department and carry the Bucket Trophy for the year.
This year, the Geyserville Fire Protection District won the trophy with Windsor Fire Protection District and Lakeport Fire Department close behind. Participating fire departments recruited almost 800 blood donors who gave close to 700 pints of blood during a time of critical shortages. Nineteen fire departments across Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties vied for the winner’s title and the popular Bucket Brigade Trophy.
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“Northern California has been experiencing a serious blood shortage, as bad weather in other parts of the country hampers our ability to get our much-needed imports,” commented Lisa Bloch, director of communications for BCP. “But having these Bucket Brigade blood drives makes all the difference for us and for the hospitals we serve.”
The 8th Annual Bucket Brigade Awards Luncheon scheduled on Feb. 12th will honor all participating fire departments for their valuable contribution and present the trophy to this season’s Bucket Brigade Challenge winner.
The idea of the Bucket Brigade originally came from the Great London Fire of 1666 that found community members in “brigades” as they passed buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the blaze that threatened their city. The contemporary Bucket Brigade Challenge brings communities together in the same way– not to fight fire, but to save lives through blood donations.
The need for blood is constant and BCP needs more than 500 donors every day to meet the needs of our community. To find a drive near you and to make an appointment, visit bloodheroes.com or call 888.393.GIVE (4483).
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Blood Centers of the Pacific (formerly Blood Bank of the Redwoods) is a nonprofit organization that supports 50 hospitals in Northern California including all hospitals in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties
