HCEMS and Blood Assurance host blood drive for Prehospital Whole Blood Program
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services, in partnership with Blood Assurance, hosted the City Saves Lives Community Blood Drive at Miller Park to help raise awareness about the ongoing need for blood donations.
The event also supported Hamilton County EMS’s recently launched Prehospital Whole Blood Program, which allows first responders to carry and administer whole blood before patients arrive at the hospital.
Officials said the blood drive comes at a critical time as emergency responders prepare for what they call the 100 deadliest days of summer.
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically brings an increase in traffic crashes, outdoor injuries, and other traumatic incidents that require lifesaving blood transfusions.
Mike Garren, Recruitment and Public Engagement Specialist with Hamilton County EMS, said the county’s whole blood program is one of only a handful in Tennessee.
“As you may remember, back in May, Hamilton County EMS rolled out our new whole blood program. We’ve become one of the small number of services in the state of Tennessee to carry whole blood out in the field. Not only do we get our blood through Blood Assurance and Erlanger, but we’re also taking from their supply,” Garren explained.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp also attended the event.
He said blood donations are an important way for community members to help their neighbors.
“And it’s just a reminder that our neighbors need us. Volunteerism is one of the things that this community’s been known for a long time. The same thing is true in terms of the philanthropic, generous spirit, but it’s unbelievable how close we get to being on the low end of our blood reserve,” Wamp said.
Blood Assurance also highlighted a new benefit available to donors.
Through a partnership with GoodLabs, anyone who books and completes a blood donation through the GoodLabs platform is eligible to receive free clinical grade blood work.
Ryann Brandenburg, an Account Manager with Blood Assurance, said the program gives donors valuable health information while helping save lives.
“So it’s essentially an additional health screening that you can do that’s completely free to the individual. You save lives by donating blood, and you get to choose a panel of blood tests that you can get done, things like hormone testing or thyroid testing.”
As the region enters its busiest trauma season, Hamilton County officials said maintaining a strong local blood supply is more important than ever.
“You don’t know if you’re going to save your own life or a family member. Each donation can save up to three lives. It’s something small you can do, but it’s so important,” Garren said.
Officials encourage anyone who is eligible to consider donating blood to help ensure hospitals and first responders have the resources they need during the busy summer months.
Click here to get your free blood tests, with a blood donation.
