Frisco residents will be able to show support for local first responders by donating blood in honor of the Frisco Police Department or the Frisco Fire Department, which won last year’s competition. The blood drive is being overseen again this year by Carter BloodCare.
“This is particularly important this year because they're low on blood,” Frisco Fire Chief Mark Piland said during the June 16 City Council meeting.
Carter BloodCare sales consultant Susan Holt said the organization has had to cancel many of its mobile blood drives since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Unfortunately, the situation is not getting any better,” Holt said via email. “We need donors to come in desperately.”
Piland said that due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus, there will be a limit to the number of people allowed in donation rooms at one time. Those wishing to donate are asked to make an appointment to visit one of the seven locations planned as part of the two-day competition.
“I understand how people are a little apprehensive about giving blood with COVID-19 out there, but I can assure you that we are taking every single precaution that you possibly can to make sure that this is going to be a safe operation,” Piland said. “[We are] looking forward to a lot of signups on those two days.”
On July 17, Carter BloodCare will be set up to take donations at the following locations:
• Frisco Police Station training room, 7200 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco;
• Frisco Central Fire Station training room, 8601 Gary Burns Drive, Frisco;
• Frisco City Hall’s fourth floor McCallum Room, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco; and
• Carter BloodCare Bus at Frisco City Hall, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco.
On July 18, blood donations can be made at the following locations:
• Carter BloodCare Bus at Frisco Athletic Center, 5828 Nancy Jane Lane, Frisco;
• Frisco Fire Station No. 7 training room, 330 W. Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco; and
• Frisco Fire Station No. 8 training room, 14700 Rolater Road, Frisco.
“As an extra incentive, we are now doing COVID-19 antibody testing on all donors,” Holt said.
That serology blood test can identify the presence of antibodies, which would indicate the person may have been exposed to COVID-19. Battle of the Badges T-shirts will also be given to donors.
