Lakeport >> Blood Centers of the Pacific is teaming up with Lake, Sonoma and Mendocino county fire departments for the 10th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge; a lifesaving event hosted Dec. 7 to Jan. 30 with the Lake County iteration scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Lakeport Fire Station from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Truck Bay.
Nearly 9,000 people attended the Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge over the past nine years, donating thousands of pints of blood. Last season alone, fire departments recruited nearly 600 people and collected more than 500 pints of blood for patients in Northern California hospitals. Geyserville Fire Protection District placed first with 61 total people attending, while Windsor Fire Protection District came in a close second with 56 total attendees.
This year during the 10th Annual Challenge, we hope to reach a combined total of 10,000 participants.
Mike Bates, Commander-Division Chief for Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, states, “First responders witness the devastation and trauma a person can experience with no warning. Doing our part with the Bucket Brigade Challenge ensures that these people and all in need of blood can have a healthy supply ready at all times.”
The idea of the Bucket Brigade comes from the Great Fire of London in 1666 that rallied community members in “brigades” as they passed buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the blaze that endangered their town. This modern day Bucket Brigade continues to pull our community together, not to fight flames, but to save lives through blood donation.
“The Bucket Brigade was created to increase the local blood supply during a time when donations are traditionally low as a result of challenging weather, the busy holiday season and the impact of flu season,” states Andrea Casson, Senior Account Representative at Blood Centers of the Pacific. “Fire departments support us throughout the year and their support during winter months is crucial. We are grateful to our fire departments for their sacrifice and support of our community on multiple levels.”
Through this support, Blood Centers of the Pacific is able to provide lifesaving blood products to patients in over 50 local hospitals including hospitals in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties.
To find additional blood drives or schedule an appointment, please visit bloodheroes.com or call (888) 393-4483.
The Lakeport Fire Station is located at 445 N. Main St.
