Fire Department Hosts Blood Drive Saturday

Submitted by the City of Highland Park

Highland Park firefighters will band together Memorial Day weekend to support fellow firefighter and Purple Heart recipient Nathan Abbott by hosting a LifeSource blood drive in honor of his two-year-old daughter, Kylia, who is fighting a high-risk cancer.

The blood drive takes place on Saturday, May 23, from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Fire Department Headquarters, Fire Station #33, 1130 Central Avenue, Highland Park.

The Highland Park firefighter is a former U.S. Marine who was awarded the Purple Heart during Operation Iraqi Freedom. For Abbott’s fellow firefighters, the chance to host a blood drive on the military’s most solemn day was the perfect fit.

“We’re in the career of service-including service to our own,” said Fire Chief Dan Pease. “In our endless effort to save lives, we now focus on trying to help a brother and his family in their time of need.”

Appointments for the blood drive are preferred, but all walk-ins are welcome. Donors can schedule their appointment by calling LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 or visiting www.lifesource.org and using sponsor code 243D.

Donors should expect the entire process to last approximately one hour, however the actual blood donation should last no longer than 10 minutes. As a part of the process, donors will be given a questionnaire, and a short physical by LifeSource personnel to test hemoglobin (iron) levels, blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Refreshments will be provided immediately following all blood donations.