CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The purpose is not only to come together and just donate blood but also to help save many lives as well.
“Tragedy can strike the community at any time and it’s very important to have blood on hand when that happens,” says Capt. Russell Sherman with the Corpus Christi Police Department.
Capt. Sherman understands the need to give blood and as a first responder, he knows first-hand that when tragedy strikes, it's up to the community to come together and step in to help.
That's why he chose to give blood along with many others at the 17 annual "Boots N Badges" blood drive.
“We're never going to run out of tragedies but we will run out of blood and for anyone who thinks that's it’s scary or hurts real bad, it's really not as bad as you think,” says Capt. Sherman.
CCPD took home the trophy last year, but the Corpus Christi Fire Department says, not so fast.
“We don't like to lose, so we have to redeem ourselves and we're asking for some help, you know it's the fire departments mission to save lives and you can assist us saving lives by donating blood,” says Battalion Chief Tony Perez with the Corpus Christi Fire Department.
First responders say that lack of blood can bring a delay to the ones who need a donation.
Staff with the Coastal Bend Blood Center say first responders understand the need for blood donations because they take part in so many emergencies.
The competition will end July 27th, 2019 and if you missed the event you can still go to the Blood Center and donate.
“They're the ones that see this firsthand every single day, they see the need for blood and always there’s a crisis happens every single day that's the reality of it,” says Ashley Ramirez from the Coastal Bend Blood Center.