COLUMBUS — Central Ohio police officers and firefighters are teaming up with the American Red Cross in July for the 21st annual Guns-N-Hoses campaign to increase the number of blood donations made during summer trauma season.
Firefighters, police officers, state highway patrol and other first responders are often aware of the need for blood when responding to emergencies. In the spirit of saving lives, they have joined forces to give blood themselves, and to encourage the public to join them in a friendly competition to see which group can donate the most.
Area residents can go to any blood drive in Central Ohio and make their donation between July 1-31 a vote for either firefighters or police officers. Local blood drives include the following:
• Noon to 6 p.m. July 14 — St. Patrick Church, 328 E. Patterson Ave., Bellefontaine.
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 17 — Middleburg United Methodist Church, 11824 State Route 287, Middleburg.
• Noon to 6 p.m. July 18 — First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main St., Bellefontaine.
• 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 27 — Indian Lake Community Church, 121 Orchard Island Road, Russells Point.
Those who donate blood during Guns-N-Hoses can receive gifts and prizes, including: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium buy one get one free entry coupon; weekly drawing for four passes to Zoombezi Bay; and vouchers to purchase deeply discounted tickets to any Cedar Fair park, including Cedar Point and Kings Island.
“First responders help keep our community safe every day,” said Rodney Wilson, Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region communications manager. “When you come to donate blood this July, you can support them and help patients in need.”
The annual Guns-N-Hoses campaign began in 1996 as a friendly competition between firefighters and police officers. This campaign is scheduled during the critical summer trauma season when the demand for blood often exceeds the supply. On average, about two fewer donors come out to each American Red Cross blood drive during the summer months, resulting in as much as 100,000 fewer donations.
Members of key law enforcement and firefighters organizations, Local 67 and local fire departments of the International Association of Firefighters, the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association are expected to donate more than 1,500 pints of blood in July.
To schedule an appointment to give, visit redcrossblood.org or call (800) RED-CROSS.