10th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge Saves Thousands of Lives

Northern California Fire Departments Compete To Collect Lifesaving Blood

Blood Centers of the Pacific is teaming up with Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino county fire departments for the 10th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge; a lifesaving event hosted December 7th 2015 to January 30th 2016.

Nearly 9,000 people attended the Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge over the past nine years, donating thousands of pints of blood. Last season alone, fire departments recruited nearly 600 people and collected more than 500 pints of blood for patients in Northern California hospitals. Geyserville Fire Protection District placed first with 61 total people attending, while Windsor Fire Protection District came in a close second with 56 total attendees.

This year during the 10th Annual Challenge, we hope to reach a combined total of 10,000 participants. Mike Bates, Commander-Division Chief for Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, states, “First responders witness the devastation and trauma a person can experience with no warning. Doing our part with the Bucket Brigade Challenge ensures that these people and all in need of blood can have a healthy supply ready at all times.”

The idea of the Bucket Brigade comes from the Great Fire of London in 1666 that rallied community members in “brigades” as they passed buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the blaze that endangered their town. This modern day Bucket Brigade continues to pull our community together, not to fight flames, but to save lives through blood donation.

“The Bucket Brigade was created to increase the local blood supply during a time when donations are traditionally low as a result of challenging weather, the busy holiday season and the impact of flu season,” states Andrea Casson, Senior Account Representative at Blood Centers of the Pacific. “Fire departments support us throughout the year and their support during winter months is crucial. We are grateful to our fire departments for their sacrifice and support of our community on multiple levels.”

Through this support, Blood Centers of the Pacific is able to provide lifesaving blood products to patients in over 50 local hospitals including hospitals in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties.

To find a blood drive near you or schedule an appointment, please visit www.bloodheroes.com or call 888-393-4483. A list of Bucket Brigade blood drives is attached.

10th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge Blood Drives:
Wilmar and CAL Fire Monday, December 7, 2015 2:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilmar Truck Bay: 3825 Bodega Ave Petaluma

Rancho Adobe FPD Thursday, December 10, 2015 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Bloodmobile: 11000 Main St, Penngrove

Sonoma County DFES Thursday, December 10, 2015 9:30am - 2:30pm
Bloodmobile: 2550 Ventura Ave, Santa Rosa

Little Lake Fire Department Friday, December 11, 2015 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Bloodmobile: 74 E. Commercial St, Willits

Graton Fire Protection District Saturday, December 12, 2015 9:00am - 1:00pm
Bloodmobile: 3750 Highway 116 North, Graton

Rincon Valley Fire District Monday, December 14, 2015 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Truck Bay: 91 Middle Rincon Rd, Santa Rosa

Sebastopol Fire Department Tuesday, December 15, 2015 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Truck Bay: 7425 Bodega Bay Ave, Sebastopol

San Antonio Volunteer Fire Thursday, December 17, 2015 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Mentor Me Cavanagh Rec Center: 426 8th Street, Petaluma

Glen Ellen Fire Department Tuesday, December 22, 2015 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Fire Station Conference Room: 13445 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen

Fort Bragg Fire Department Monday, December 28, 2015 2:00pm – 6:00pm
C.V. Starr Community Center: 300 S. Lincoln Street, Fort Bragg

Santa Rosa Fire Department Wednesday, January 6, 2016 8:00am - 1:00pm
Bloodmobile: 2102 W. College Ave. Santa Rosa

Cloverdale FPD Friday, January 8, 2016 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Training Room: 451 S. Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale

Rohnert Park Dept. of Public Safety Sunday, January 9, 2016 9:30am – 1:30pm
Truck Bay: 5200 Country Club Drive, Rohnert Park

Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Tuesday, January 12, 2016 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Bloodmobile: 630 Second Street West, Sonoma

Healdsburg Fire Department Wednesday, January 13, 2016 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Truck Bay: 601 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg

Forestville Fire Department Thursday, January 14, 2016 2:30pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Room: 6554 Mirabel Rd, Forestville

Windsor FPD Saturday, January 16, 2016 9:00am – 2:00pm
Fire Station 2: 8600 Windsor Rd, Windsor

Petaluma Fire Department Thursday, January 21, 2016 8:00am - 1:00pm
Truck Bay: 198 D Street, Petaluma

Geyserville FPD Friday, January 22, 2016 2:30pm – 7:30pm
Truck Bay: 20975 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville

Mendocino Volunteer FD Tuesday, January 26, 2016 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Fire Station: 44700 Little Lake Rd, Mendocino

Lakeport Fire Station Saturday, January 30, 2016 9:30am - 2:30pm
Truck Bay: 445 N Main St., Lakeport