Winter Haven Hospital Showdown for Blood Donations

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – July 3, 2013 – Local fire departments and law enforcement agencies are teaming up with Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center for the first annual “Boots vs. Badges” blood drive competition.

The friendly competition encourages anyone to donate blood, and then the donor is able to designate his or her donation as a vote for either team – Firefighters (Boots) or Law Enforcement (Badges).

In this competition, every donor is a hero as the need for blood is constant. According to national statistics, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion every two seconds of every day. Some may need blood during surgery. Others require blood transfusions after an accident or because they have a disease that requires blood components.

“Voluntary blood donations by members of the east Polk community ensures that a supply is available when patients need it. Units collected by our community blood center are used by patients at Winter Haven Hospital, the Regency Center for Women & Infants and at Lake Wales Medical Center,” says Kayla Kapp, recruiter/coordinator for the Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center.

The Boots vs. Badges competition runs July 15 through August 2. Blood drives will be set up throughout Eastern Polk County. Dates and times are listed on the Winter Haven Hospital website. Blood donations will also be accepted at one of two Community Blood Centers, 460 First St. North in Winter Haven or in the Deeley Hunt Building at Lake Wales Medical Center.

Blood donors must be at least 16 years old and healthy. Most medications are no longer reasons for deferral from blood donation. Each person who donates will receive a T-shirt, cholesterol screening test, other goodies, plus a chance to vote for team Boots or team Badges.

For more information, call the Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center at (863) 297-1840, visit www.winterhavenhospital.org/facilities/blood-banks, or email bloodcenter@winterhavenhospital.org.

About Winter Haven Hospital

Established in 1926, Winter Haven Hospital serves as the major medical center for east Polk and Highlands counties and the U.S. Highway 27 / Ridge Corridor. The 527-bed hospital is a locally owned and operated not-for-profit organization. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and has more than 300 board-certified physicians on its medical staff representing every major specialty. Affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine/Shands Healthcare, Winter Haven Hospital also is the home of Bostick Heart Center, the Cassidy Cancer Center, the Regency Center for Women & Infants, the Center for Urology and the Robotics Institute, a nationally accredited Stroke Center and the nationally accredited Joy-Fuller Rehab Center. The hospital has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) with the prestigious designation of Magnet status, recognition granted to only 5 percent of the nation’s hospitals. With more than 2,500 employees, Winter Haven Hospital is east Polk County’s largest private employer and has been recognized by Polk Works Workforce 2020 as one of the county’s best places to work. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.winterhavenhospital.org.

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