Theresa Randall doesn’t look like a Marvel superhero, but she’s helping to save the life of someone she doesn’t even know and what could be more heroic than that?
The Brainerd woman was not sporting a cape or a colorful costume when she donated blood at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd, just two days shy of her 59th birthday.
“They are always in need of blood,” Randall said at the 15th annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.
The three-day friendly competition between local police and fire departments is from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, March 6, to see which will receive the most votes from American Red Cross blood donors.
“Last year, I voted for the cops. This year, I voted for the firefighters. I like to mix it up,” Randall said and chuckled.
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Donors receive a coupon for a dozen doughnuts from Cub Foods or $5 off wings from Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, which are co-sponsors of the event.
“It’s not hard at all to donate blood, and, yes, any time of the year we need blood donations because of possible car accidents or other things,” Randall said.
A single car crash victim may require as many as 100 units of blood, according to the American Red Cross, and every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
“Yesterday, the drive went pretty well,” Sue Thesenga said Thursday of the local blood drive.
According to Thesenga, an American Red Cross external communications manager, 114 pints of lifesaving blood were collected on the first day of this year’s Brainerd-Baxter blood drive.
“We do really well,” said Elaine Rausch, community coordinator of the blood drive. “We average, I think, between 300 and 400 donors ... so it’s been about the same as last year.”
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A traveling trophy is awarded to either the police or the fire department based on which receives the most votes at the blood drive. The Brainerd Fire Department won the trophy last year.
The American Red Cross urges the public to join its lifesaving mission by giving blood this month in celebration of Red Cross Month. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring.
The American Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components, but supply does not always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.
“Donors have colds and seasonal flu symptoms, and you can't donate when you're not feeling well, so we do see a dip in donations just because of that,” Thesenga said of winter illnesses.
Blood is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries, so the need for blood is constant, according to Thesenga, and joining first responders to donate at the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive helps ensure blood is on the shelves before it is needed.
“We do see ebbs and flows in our inventory. And in blood donations, typically during the winter months, you know, right after the holidays, that’s always a challenging time. … Blood drives can be canceled because of weather,” Thesenga said.
But Randall is living proof that one person can make a difference. Randall said she donated blood at last year’s Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, too. Randall also said she received blood during an operation more than a decade ago.
“If they are able to use my blood, I’m more than happy,” Randall said.
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How to donate blood
To make a blood donation appointment for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in at the blood collection site.
Those who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate.
High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
