MENDOCINO Co., 12/31/19 — It’s time for the 14th annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive competition, in which local fire departments in Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma counties engage in a friendly rivalry to see who can host the largest blood drive during December and January, a time when blood donations are especially needed. This year, 21 different departments across the three counties are participating, and every blood donor will receive a special t-shirt as a thanks. Last year, over 855 people participated in the blood drive.
The upcoming dates in Mendocino County for the blood drives are this coming Friday, January 3, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Mendocino Fire Department Fire Station, 44700 Little Lake Rd, Mendocino; and on January 13 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hopland Volunteer Fire Department.
Here’s the full press release:
SANTA ROSA, CA — December 2, 2019 — During December and January, blood donors can participate in the 14th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge and impact the lives of patients in area hospitals. Participants receive a special 14th Annual Bucket Brigade T-shirt and can help their local fire department win the friendly challenge.
Vitalant (formerly Blood Centers of the Pacific), in partnership with 21 fire departments across Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties, is proud to announce the 14th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge. The Bucket Brigade Challenge is a friendly competition among participating fire departments to see which department can host the largest blood drive by enlisting firefighters, friends, family and members of the community to donate lifesaving blood during the holiday season.
“We are grateful to our firefighters and community members in Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma Counties for their support in helping us meet the blood needs of Bay Area patients” said Fred McFadden, Regional Director, Vitalant, San Francisco Bay Area. “The months of December and January are two of our most challenging periods of the year when it comes to ensuring hospitals have the blood they need for patient care. Last year the Bucket Brigade blood drives accounted for 20 percent of all red cell units Vitalant collected in the Region during that time. This is an INCREDIBLE achievement by our Bucket Brigade Blood Drive participants and we hope to see the same support this season. Thank you all for the lifesaving difference you make to patients needing blood.”
It is vital to continuously replenish the blood supply so we are ready when circumstances hinder the ability to collect blood. In addition, there are times when the need for blood increases and we, as a community need to be ready. Having an adequate blood supply throughout the year ensures we can meet the needs of patients every day. Every winter, blood banks face challenges on a national level. From the holidays, to flu season to winter storms, blood donations are negatively impacted. Schools are on break and many people take time off
from work thus many of our usual blood drive hosts take a “break”. It is common that multiple blood banks experience a drop in donations over the holidays which can lead to shortages.
Since 2006, fire departments participating in the Bucket Brigade Challenge have recruited more than 10,000 participants who donated thousands of units of blood for patients in Northern California hospitals. Last year, Healdsburg Fire Department took home the coveted Bucket Trophy with 99 participants. An amazing 855 people attended Bucket Brigade blood drives in the 13th season, and 847 units of life saving blood were collected.
“Everybody has been so thankful to our local firefighters for the work they did on the Kincade fire, and we are appreciative of that,” said Jason Boaz, Fire Chief, Healdsburg Fire Department. “One thing they can do to show their support and help our community is to donate blood at our Bucket Brigade blood drive. Their donations will help save lives, which is always our first priority.”
Historically, the Bucket Brigade idea comes from the Great London Fire of 1666 that found community members in “brigades” as they passed buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the blaze that endangered their town and community. Vitalant Recruitment Manager Andrea Casson brought these participating fire departments together 14 years ago with the idea of “creating a modern Bucket Brigade that gathers our community in an effort to save lives through blood donations.”
Multiple fire departments are hosting blood drives. To find one near you, please see the complete list below. To make an appointment, visit www.vitalant.org/bucketbrigade or call 877-258-4425. For your donation, please arrive well-hydrated, well-nourished, and with photo ID. For eligibility information, visit www.vitalant.org.
14th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive List
South Lake County Sunday, December 8, 2019 10:00am – 3:00pm Fire Protection District Fire Station: 21095 State Hwy 175, Middletown
Sebastopol Fire Department Tuesday, December 10, 2019 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Fire Station: 7425 Bodega Bay Ave, Sebastopol
Ukiah Valley Fire Authority Tuesday, December 17, 2019 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Fire Station: 300 Seminary, Ukiah
Graton Fire Protection District Wednesday, December 18, 2019 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Fire Station: 3750 Highway 116 North, Graton
Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District Friday, December 20, 2019 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Bloodmobile: 11000 Main St, Penngrove
Lakeport Fire Station Saturday, December 21, 2019 9:30am – 2:00pm
Fire Station: 445 N Main St., Lakeport
Fort Bragg Fire Department Monday, December 23, 2019 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Town Hall: 363 N. Main Street
Forestville Fire Department Thursday, December 26, 2019 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Bloodmobile: 6554 Mirabel Rd, Forestville
Mendocino Volunteer Friday, January 3, 2020 1:00pm – 5:00pm Fire Department Fire Station: 44700 Little Lake Rd, Mendocino
Rohnert Park Department of Saturday, January 4, 2020 9:00am – 2:00pm Public Safety Fire Station: 5200 Country Club, Rohnert Park
Santa Rosa Fire Department Wednesday, January 8, 2020 9:30am – 1:30pm
Bloodmobile: 2102 W. College Ave. Santa Rosa
Sonoma County Fire District Thursday, January 9, 2020 2:00pm – 6:00pm Rincon Valley Fire Station: 91 Middle Rincon Rd, Santa Rosa
Geyserville Fire Protection District Friday, January 10, 2020 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Fire Station: 20975 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville
Hopland Volunteer Fire Department Monday, January 13, 2020 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Fire Station: 21 Feliz Creek Road, Hopland
Petaluma Fire Department Tuesday, January 14, 2020 8:00am – 1:00pm
Fire Station: 198 D Street, Petaluma
Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Wednesday, January 15, 2020 1:30pm – 6:15pm Authority Bloodmobile: 630 Second Street West, Sonoma
Sonoma County Fire District Windsor Saturday, January 18, 2020 9:00am – 2:00pm
Fire Station 2: 8600 Windsor Rd, Windsor
Healdsburg Fire Department Saturday, January 25, 2020 9:00am – 2:00pm
Fire Station: 601 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg
Wilmar and San Antonio Monday, January 27, 2020 2:00pm – 7:00pm Volunteer Fire Departments Wilmar Fire Station: 3825 Bodega Ave Petaluma
Cloverdale Fire Protection District Friday, January 31, 2020 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Fire Station: 451 S. Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale