Nova Scotia first responders, military to donate blood in competition

Militaryand emergency services personnel are being asked to participate in a friendly competition to increase blood donations this summer a time of year when there are fewer donors.

Kathy Gracie, arepresentative for the Canadian Blood Services, says Sirens for Life will bring a sense of competition among first responders in the Halifaxarea tohelp supplement donations over the next few months.

"Typically, we see about a 20 per cent decrease in our blood donations over the summer," she said.

All of their efforts to save that life at the initial scene of the accident will be useless if they get to the hospital and we have no blood.- Kathy Gracie

An average of 16,000 blood donations are needed every week throughout the year. During the summer months, however, Graciesays the need goes well beyond that average because of an increase in motor vehicle accidents.

According to Gracie, the list of competitors includes members of the military, paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.

"They're the ones that are first on the scenethey see the need for the blood. All of their efforts to save that life at the initial scene of the accident will be useless if they get to the hospital and we have no blood."

Canadian Blood Services will set up special donor clinics in the areauntil the end of August when the rankings of competitor groups are announced. The winner, Gracie says, gets bragging rights.