Guns N Hoses: Blood drive a major campaign
Cape Coral residents can show their support for the city’s police department and help replenish the local community’s blood supply by donating blood next week.
Lee Memorial Health System’s Blood Center will kick off its fifth annual Guns N Hoses campaign on Monday, with over a dozen blood drives planned throughout Lee County in the coming weeks. One of the blood drives will take place Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cape Coral Police Department.
“The summer months are when we are low in blood donations,” Nancy Hendrick, the community relations coordinator for the Blood Center, said.
The annual effort focuses on recruiting local law enforcement and fire personnel as donors.
“Because we’re targeting them,” she said. “We get better participation.”
The blood drives, however, are open to public and people are invited to take part.
“If anybody would like to participate and show their support for the police department, they are more than welcome to come in,” Hendrick said.
Last year, 185 units of blood were collected during the campaign. This year’s goal is 250 units.
“This year we’ve added a couple more sites,” she said.
Donors must be at least 115 pounds, feeling well and healthy, and be in general good health.
“That’s really about it,” Hendrick said.
“You can take a multitude of medications and still donate,” she added.
Donors will receive an official fifth annual Guns N Hoses T-shirt.
They will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire prior to donating that covers basic personal, medical and lifestyle information. Donors’ blood pressure, temperature and iron levels will also be checked.
“It usually takes about three to seven minutes to donate a full unit,” Hendrick said.
Refreshments and snacks are available after donating.
The campaign runs through June 26 and includes 15 blood drive locations.
“It’s a couple of weeks,” she said. “It’s hard to get participation.”
Hendrick urged Cape residents to come out Thursday.
“To show their support for their law enforcement agency and to help their community,” she said. “Because Lee Memorial does supply blood and blood products to Cape Coral Hospital.”
For information or questions about donor eligibility, call (239) 343-2333.
The Cape Coral Police Department is at 1100 Cultural Park Blvd.