Staff Reports

POMONA– On Sunday, February 21, a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive will take place at the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s East County Training Center, located at 3325 Temple Avenue in Pomona.  The event will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and it will be held in Classroom One. The annual campaign is in partnership with the American Red Cross, helping to ensure local blood bank reserves are available to meet the needs of trauma victims and hospital patients.  The event is free of charge and the Red Cross will provide a commemorative t-shirt for those who choose to donate blood.

“Here in Southern California, more than 160 local hospitals depend on the Red Cross for blood donations to assist trauma victims and hospital patients,” says Fire Chief Daryl Osby. “Yet less than 3 percent of the population donates blood, leading to continual shortages of all blood types.

Everyone is invited to stop by and help support the American Red Cross.  The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org.