LAWTON — Comanche County’s firefighters and law enforcement officers are teaming up with Oklahoma Blood Institute to save lives and you can help.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, first responders and local officials will come together for OBI’s annual Boots and Badges Blood Drive at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium, 801 NW Ferris Ave. in Lawton.
Firefighters and law enforcement officers across the county are competing to see which side can recruit the most blood donors at this fun, family-friendly event. The team with the most donations – Comanche County’s firefighters or law enforcement agencies – earns a traveling trophy, OBI Lawton Executive Director Christi Chambers said.
“We have a lot of great activities planned,” said Chambers. “Crime Stoppers’ McGruff the Crime Dog will be here. We’ll have fire trucks, the sheriff’s tactical tank, a bounce house, Lawton Fire Department’s smokehouse (fire safety simulator), food, music, a dunk tank and more.”
Chambers was particularly excited about the dunk tank, she said.
“We’ve had a few volunteer to get into the dunk tank,” she said.
As of July 6, Lawton Police Chief James Smith, Fire Chief Jared Williams and Mayor Stan Booker have volunteered to take a seat in the dunk tank.
“I’m surprised at how fragile the blood supply is,” Booker said. “But it doesn’t surprise me a bit that our police and fire departments have stepped up with this competition to build up the blood supply.”
Donors may choose whether they want their donations to help Comanche County’s law enforcement officers or firefighters. Firefighters took the trophy home last year, Chambers said.
Bar S has donated hot dogs, and Snowie Express Snow Cones will be available, she said. All donors will receive a free snow cone.
“We are so grateful for all the support from all the firefighters, police departments and all the volunteers who’ve stepped up for OBI,” Chambers said. “We hope donors can help us reach this goal and save lives.”
The goal of 80 completed donations may be hard to reach, but not impossible, Chambers added.
“This is the lowest it’s been in 30 years,” Chambers said, when asked about the current blood supply. “We would like to have a 5-day supply on the shelves. But the shortage isn’t limited to Southwest Oklahoma. It’s not just in the Lawton market. It’s nationwide.”
Donors will receive a limited edition OBI Boots & Badges shirt and a pass to either the Oklahoma Science Museum, Frontier City or Safari Joe’s H2O Water Park.
Donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and have not donated blood in the past 56 days.
Donors must present a valid photo ID; those 16 years of age must bring a signed permission slip from a parent or legal guardian. While walk-ins are welcome, donors are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment.
For more details or to schedule a donation, visit OBI.com or find Oklahoma Blood Institute-Lawton Center Blood Donors on Facebook.