The Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District will hold its third annual Battle of the Badges blood drive from noon to 7 p.m. Monday (Aug. 17) at the Festus-Crystal City Elks Lodge 1721, 4 Elks Drive, in Festus.
The drive is dedicated to the district’s two employees – Capt. Greg Maguire and Paramedic Erik Bedwell – who recently were seriously hurt when they were in an ambulance transporting a patient to an area hospital and a vehicle crashed into it. Both JPAD employees received blood products as part of their treatment, the ambulance district reported.
The district has a goal to get 100 units of blood donated at the drive, which would have the “potential to save 300 lives,” organizers said.
Donors will receive a T-shirt, a stress ball and a $5 Amazon gift card. In addition, COVID-19 antibody test results will be emailed to donors.
Because of COVID-19 safety measures, the procedure to donate will be different than usual. To comply with social-distancing measures, the Red Cross requests donors register online for an appointment at redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code BATTLE in the “Find a Blood Drive” window. Or, call 1-800-733-2767.