Location: Sheriff's Headquarters, 833 S. Akers St., Visalia

Incident Date: 10/29/18

City: Visalia

Posted by: Media Relations

Sheriff kicks off Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux helped kick off the 17th annual South Valley Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Monday at the Central California Blood Center in Visalia. Joining him were members of his command staff, Tulare County Firefighters, Visalia Police, Visalia Firefighters, Dinuba Police, Farmersville Police and others.


Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition between local agencies, Sheriff Boudreaux said. 


“We are uniquely together,” he said. “We know each other’s’ families and this community is part of our families.”
Blood is what is needed during times of tragedy, he said.


“This blood drive saves the lives of those we don’t know and those we do know,” he said. “I encourage everyone to give blood and be sure to say you would like the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office to get credit for your donation.”


Sheriff Boudreaux said he plans to give blood Tuesday at the Sheriff’s Office in Visalia. Everyone is welcome to join him and give blood at Headquarters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in a mobile donation bus. 


“I encourage all the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office to come to the Blood Bank and donate blood,” he said. “Let’s see if we can win the Battle of the Badges this year.”


You can help.

 

The Sheriff’s Office is hosting its 4th annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive at Sheriff’s Headquarters, 833 S. Akers St., Visalia with the Central California Blood Center’s mobile donation unit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30. 

You can also donate blood at the Central California Blood Center, 1515 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last day to donate blood for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is Nov. 11. 

Be sure to say you are donating blood for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you!

Blood donation takes less than one hour to complete. Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 18 years old (16 and 17 year olds must have written parental consent). Senior citizens are encouraged to donate, as there is no upper age limit. Donors should eat a good meal and drink plenty of water within four hours prior to their donation. Donors can give blood every eight weeks. Photo ID is required at donor registration. 

The Central California Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 30 hospitals in Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Kings and Mariposa Counties and must collect between 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood a month to meet the needs of our Valley community.