Badges For Life Competition

September 4 , 2008    
       

FIRE CHIEF & STATE FIRE MARSHAL TAKE A PIE TO SAVE LIVES 

                Springfield – The Central Illinois Community Blood Center (CICBC) announced the winners of the 8th annual Badges for Life competition today.   The competition was kicked off just after Memorial Day and ran through the end of August.  The Fire Service (Springfield Fire Department and Office of the State Fire Marshal) came out ahead with 37.88% of their employees donating blood compared to 27.77% of the employees from Law Enforcement (State Police, Springfield Police Department and Sangamon County Sherriff’s Office).  Bakers Square made an appropriate backdrop for the event since the “winning” fire officials were awarded with pies in their face from their staff.

                “It has been two years since I have received a pie in the face but for this cause it is well worthwhile.  I cannot overstate the need to donate blood to keep an adequate supply available for our families, friends and our community. As firefighters we see close up every day the need for lifesaving blood donations as we treat victims of auto wrecks, other accidents, even victims of violence. The Fire Service is proud to be part of Badges for Life and looks forward to participating for many years to come,” said Springfield Fire Chief John Kulek. “I would like to thank everyone who participated and donated to this great cause and congratulate them for stepping up and making a difference.  Members of the fire service and law enforcement are saving lives in more ways than one," said State Fire Marshal David B. Foreman.

                “With a great increase recently in the need for blood in Springfield, CICBC would like to commend these officials for raising the community’s awareness of the importance of blood donation while also encouraging their colleagues, families, and friends to donate blood,” said CICBC CEO David Parsons. 

                “We would also like to let them know how much we appreciate their time, support and good sportsmanship that so willingly lend to our cause,” added Parsons.                 A total of 504 people stepped up to the challenge and participated in the Badges for Life competition this summer.   As far as bragging rights, the Springfield Police Department brought in the most individuals to donate (151) and was also the “Most Improved” with 46.46% of their workforce donating,  a 15.5 % increase over last year.

                CEO Parsons also praised Bakers Square,  “…We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Baker’s Square for the tremendous support they have provided.   They are doing much more than just providing pies, the blood drive they are having here today is one of many they have hosted this year and Bakers Square provided thousands of dollars in gift cards for the Badges Competition.”

                CICBC would also like to extend a special thanks to area businesses who upported the competition (through sponsorship of T-Shirts) the Central Illinois Hematology Oncology Center, CMFI Group, Custom Shirt Works, F. J. Murphy and Sons, Memorial Medical Center, New York Life Insurance, the Orthopaedic Center of Illinois, Staab Funeral Home and Young’s Security and to the Springfield Sliders  (though donations of baseball tickets) as well as Charles and Limey’s Steak and Seafood (gift cards).   

                The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is the sole provider of blood to 19 hospitals in Central and Southwestern Illinois.