SIDNEY — Wilson Health in Sidney is teaming up with the Shelby County police, fire and EMS departments, local healthcare professionals and Community Blood Center to sponsor the “Heroes Behind the Badge Blood Drive” Tuesday, Aug. 23, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Wilson Health Professional Building, 915 W. Michigan St.

The “Heroes” blood drive challenge is an opportunity to boost the summer blood supply and show support for local heroes in public safety and health by “voting” for your favorite department when you register to donate. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call 800-388-GIVE.

“Our local heroes are outstanding examples of people giving of themselves to help others,” said CBC Shelby County account Representative Kathy Pleiman. “Please join our heroes and donate blood at the hospital to help keep the local blood supply at safe levels for area patients.”

The friendly competition challenges the four departments (police, fire, EMS and health professionals) to see who can recruit the most colleagues, family and friends to register to donate and vote for their team. The winning team will receive a plaque and claim bragging rights around the community.

Firefighter Doug Stammen is supporting the blood drive for his department, and for what it means to his son David, a cancer survivor.

“I donate blood because I have seen, and continue to see, the great need of blood donation on both a professional and personal level,” he said. “In my career I interact daily with people who are in need of blood donation. And hitting even closer to home, when my son was battling Anaplastic large-cell lym­phoma, we witnessed firsthand the life-giving, life-saving gift of blood.”

“Improving the health of our community is at the heart of our mission,” said Mark Dooley, president and CEO, Wilson Health. “Taking a small amount of time out of your day and donating blood can make a large impact on the health and vitality of the people in our community and ultimately save lives.”

For more information contact Elaine Shuga at Wilson Health at 937-498-5312.

Learn more at www.GivingBlood.org.

Sidney firefighter Doug Stammen and son David, lymphoma survivor, will be supporting the “Heroes Behind the Badge Blood Drive” on Aug. 23.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/08/web1_Heroes-Blood-Drive-David-2c-Doug-Stammen-1.jpgSidney firefighter Doug Stammen and son David, lymphoma survivor, will be supporting the “Heroes Behind the Badge Blood Drive” on Aug. 23.