FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Erskine Gillespie, Account Manager – Email: [email protected]rg Ph: 901-281-0405
Memphis Fire Fighters Gear Up to Save Lives in A Different Kind of Way…
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 between 7:00 a.m. and noon, at Fire Station #1 (211 Jackson Ave. Memphis, TN
38105), City of Memphis Fire Fighters will be gearing up to save more lives by rolling up their sleeves and
donating blood! The Lifeblood mobile units will be onsite, in the parking lot, during the above referenced
date and time.
Lifeblood Marketing/Communications Manager, Mitzi Breaux stated: “Summer months bring over a 20
precent decline in blood donations. However; with an increase in travel, activities and elective surgeries,
blood needed for patient care increases.” When this message reached Director Gina Sweat, of the Memphis
Fire Department, she immediately knew there was yet another call to action to which they must respond!
“Being First Responders, we see firsthand just how important it is to have an adequate blood supply on-hand
at all times, for it is within an instant that a misfortunate incident or accident can occur resulting in someone
being on their back and needing a lifesaving blood transfusion, so that they can return home to their family,”
said Director Gina Sweat.
The Fire Fighters of Fire Station #1 are inviting other First Responders and local residents to join them in
rolling up a sleeve and helping to save the lives of our local citizens. Please join us Wednesday, July 25,
2018, between 7:00 a.m. to noon, at Fire Station #1, to support their “GEAR UP so others can GET UP”
blood drive campaign. To schedule an appointment or to find the nearest Lifeblood donor center, please visit
our website at: www.ClubLifeblood.us and enter sponsor code: QG172 (to schedule an appointment for July
25
th
) or call 901-290-9743. Please contact Lieutenant Wayne Cooke for interviews and additional information
regarding this special blood drive campaign.
Every 2 seconds, someone needs blood. Most of us will need blood within our lifetime!
As always, all blood types are needed in order to prevent any blood type shortages from occurring. However,
Lifeblood is in need of donations from type O negative donors. Type O negative blood is the only type that
can safely be given to patients of all blood types.
Donors can also visit www.Lifeblood.org the day of their donation and click on the “Fast Track Health
History”. This allows donors to complete the interview portion of their donation online, in the privacy of
their home or office. Be sure to print or save the “Fast Track donation barcode” that will be displayed upon
conclusion and bring it to your donation site. Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at
least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and
younger, and donors who are 16 and 17 years of age must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.
Donors will receive free wellness screening, a t-shirt and a $25 Amazon gift card, through the online
rewards store. A photo ID is required to donate. For more information about the donation process, call 901-
290-9743.
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Headquartered in Memphis, Blood Systems’ Southeast Division consists of Lifeblood operations in Tennessee, Arkansas,
Missouri and Mississippi and United Blood Services (UBS) operations throughout South Louisiana, Mississippi and
West Alabama. Together, Lifeblood and UBS must collect approximately 2,000 blood donations each week to support
patients at nearly 140 hospitals and healthcare facilities. The division includes 10 donor centers and operates an
average of 380 blood drives monthly. Blood Systems, one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit community blood
service providers, serves more than 100 hospitals across six states to provide comprehensive transfusion medicine
services for patients in need.
