In a joint statement today, Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone and Fire Chief Troy Hughes encouraged the community to support the 2nd Annual Battle of the Badges blood drive.

The drive is at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall, 3700 Canyon Road in Los Alamos:

• Noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3; and
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4.

“Personnel from our two departments will attend the event and donate blood which will be used to save the lives of patients at medical facilities throughout our area,” the statement said. “We encourage anyone in the community who can do so to donate blood. This week’s blood drive is a great way to honor our first responders while giving back to the community.”

​”We usually win in any type of competition with the Fire Department, so I imagine we will win this, too,” Chief Sgambellone chimed in this afternoon. Chief Hughes chuckled in response and urged donors to remember “who passes out speeding tickets and who shows up to save lives” before casting their vote for their favorite department.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health to donate blood. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 23 and younger, and donors who are 16 and 17 must have signed UBS form/permission from a parent or guardian.

When donors arrive, staff and volunteers will sign them in and go over basic eligibility and donation information. They will be given information about donating blood and will be asked to show a donor card, driver’s license or other form of identification. They will be asked some questions during a private and confidential interview about their health history and places they have traveled.

Donors will have their temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin checked. The actual blood donation takes 8-10 minutes during which the donor will be seated comfortable. After donating, snacks and drinks are available in the refreshment area and donors can leave the site after 10-15 minutes to continue with their normal daily activities.

To schedule an appointment or for questions, call 505.246.1457 or go to www.unitedbloodservices.org and enter sponsor code: Los Alamos. Donors will receive a commemorative shirt.