The Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC), South Beloit Fire Department and South Beloit Police Department are hosting a holiday-themed Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Wednesday, Dec. 22 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the South Beloit Fire Department, 429 Gardner St. Donors can make appointments online at rrvbc.org, by calling 815-965-8751 or using the myRRVBC app. Walk-ins also will be welcome.
When you donate you will be asked to donate on behalf of the South Beloit Fire Department or South Beloit Police Department. The department with the most donors will win a trophy and bragging rights.
“We are excited to partner with the South Beloit Fire and Police Departments to host a blood drive to support our local hospitals and those in need of blood,” said Lisa Entrikin, CEO at the Rock River Valley Blood Center. We invite the community to stop by the drive as each donation can save up to three lives.”
The first 75 donors will receive a Battle of the Badges t-shirt and all donors will be entered into a drawing to win a free night stay at Ironworks Hotel or Hotel Goodwin in Beloit, movie tickets for Beloit Classic Cinemas, 97ZOK giveaway items and many other prizes donated by the departments.
Donating blood is simple, and one unit can save up to three lives. After registering, a donor care specialist will take individual’s vitals (temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin), and each person will be asked to complete an eligibility questionnaire, and then sit back and relax while giving. The donation itself only lasts about 10 minutes. Refreshments await after donating.
First -time donors, should bring a photo ID. Individuals can donate a single unit (whole blood donation, the most common type) every 56 days.