Rogers, Arkansas – First responders from Rogers are uniting with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, to host the fourth annual City of Rogers Boots and Badges Community Challenge Blood Drive on July 6.
The blood drive will take place on Thursday, July 6 at Rogers Activity Center in the South Gym, 315 West Olive Street. Drive hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The Boots and Badges blood drive is a fun event which provides an opportunity for the community to come together and support local patients, while at the same time honoring area first responders for the magnificent work they do every day. It is also a friendly competition between fire and police departments with a traveling trophy awarded to the department with the strongest showing. The Rogers Fire Department won the trophy last year. Who will win the trophy this year?
Area leaders are in strong support of this event and have joined with CBCO to voice a unified message intended to save lives. “I would like to encourage people to participate in the fourth annual Boots & Badges blood drive that is hosted by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks,” said Rogers Police Chief, Jonathan Best. “Donating blood is a great way to give to your community and the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is the sole source of blood for all Rogers area healthcare facilities. We are proud to partner with them for this fun event.”
Rogers Fire Chief, Thomas Jenkins, added, “Blood drives are an important and integral part of community support. I encourage people to take part in this important event due to the continuous need for blood.”
Area hospitals are also encouraging community members to make the time to give blood. “The annual Boots & Badges blood drive is of great importance to Mercy because the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is Mercy's sole provider of blood,” said Dr. Scotty Cooper, regional physician executive for Mercy Arkansas. “The timing of the summer blood drive is critical because it is typically a time when blood supplies need replenishing. We encourage as many people as possible to donate and help save lives in our community.”
All donors will receive a limited-edition Boots & Badges blood drive T-shirt honoring first responders and a free sandwich card from Chick-fil-A, redeemable at the Whitaker Parkway or Pleasant Grove Road locations. Donors will also receive a voucher for a free pint of ice cream, while supplies last.
To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment at www.cbco.org/donate-blood or by calling 417-227-5006. On behalf of local hospital patients, CBCO thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.
