Heroes across Fayetteville are coming together for a cause that saves lives. Local first responders are teaming up with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the only supplier of blood, plasma, and platelets to all northwest Arkansas hospitals, for the sixth annual Fayetteville Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive on Wednesday, August 5.

Donors will receive a limited-edition Boots, Badges and Bandages T-shirt and a chance to enter to win a $10,000 dream vacation giveaway to the destination of their choice.

The blood drive will take place on Wednesday, August 5, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Fayetteville Town Center, 15 W. Mountain Street.

The Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive is a powerful way for residents to support local patients while honoring the commitment of area fire, police, and EMS teams. This friendly competition awards a traveling trophy to the agency with the most donor support. The Fayetteville Police Department won the trophy last year. Which agency will take home the trophy this year?

Fayetteville leaders are once again joining forces with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks to encourage the community to help ensure a strong local blood supply. "As Northwest Arkansas continues to grow, so does the need for lifesaving blood donations," said Fayetteville Fire Chief Brad Hardin. "Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is the only supplier of blood to our local hospitals, which means every donation made at this blood drive has the potential to help patients right here in our community. As firefighters, we know emergencies happen without warning, and having blood available when those emergencies occur can make all the difference. I encourage everyone to join us on August 5, donate blood, and help save lives close to home."

"We are honored to partner once again with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks for the sixth annual Fayetteville Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive," said Sgt. Stephen Mauk with the Fayetteville Police Department. "This event is a great example of our community coming together for a common purpose. Every blood donation gives hope to patients facing trauma, surgery, cancer treatments, and many other medical emergencies. We encourage everyone who is eligible to roll up a sleeve and help ensure blood is available for our friends, neighbors, and loved ones when they need it most."

"Blood is one of the few medical treatments that cannot be manufactured, and patients depend on generous volunteer donors every day," said Central EMS Interim Chief Shawna Ross. "As EMS professionals, we see firsthand how quickly a patient's condition can change and how critical blood can be during those moments. We are proud to stand alongside our fellow first responders and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks for the Fayetteville Boots, Badges and Bandages blood drive and encourage our community to be part of something that truly saves lives."

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is currently experiencing a low supply of O-negative blood and is urging all eligible donors to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. While donations of all blood types are needed every day, O-negative blood is currently in low supply and often used in emergency situations when there is no time to determine a patient's blood type. Every blood donation helps ensure local hospitals have the lifesaving blood patients depend on when every second counts.

To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 417-227-5006 or by visiting www.cbco.org/bootsandbadges.

Photo identification required. Please eat well and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating.

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