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Porter County Chief Douglas Snider
Counties roll up sleeves for blood donation battle
May 13,
2007
BY KEN
KOSKY
Last year's Battle of the Badges -- a contest to see whether Porter County
emergency responders and the residents they serve could donate more blood than
their counterparts in Lake County -- ended with Lake County winning by one unit
of blood. But Porter County Sheriff David Lain predicts Porter County will
win this year's contest. In Porter County, the event is set for noon to 6
p.m. Monday at the Porter County Expo Center. In Lake County, people can donate
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 23 at the Gary Police Department or in the
multipurpose room at the Lake County Government Complex in Crown Point.
Lain said residents are invited to donate blood during the fifth annual Battle
of the Badges to show support for police officers, firefighters and medics. Lain
said the event comes at a perfect time because the American Red Cross' blood
supplies generally dip because of donors vacationing. The need for blood
also increases because people are injured more while driving and participating
in recreational activities this time of year. "It's kind of ironic when
the reserves drop, the need is up," Lain said. Patti Van Til, of the Lake
County Sheriff's Department, said staff members in her department are excited
about the blood drive. "We would like to see the participation of the
community," Van Til said. "The ultimate goal is to get the blood out to the Red
Cross to help our community." Lain, a blood donor since college, said he
plans to donate during the Battle of the Badges. The official name of the
event, beginning this year, will be the Battle of the Badges, Chief Gary L.
Martin Memorial Blood Drive. Former Lake County Police Chief Martin was killed
while riding in a charity bicycle ride last year. Before his death, he was a
promoter and supporter of the blood drive. "I can't see this event coming
up without thinking of Gary Martin," Lain said. Blood donors can walk in
on the day of the event.
Officer Jason Praschak
Corporal Phil Miller
Detective Administrative Assistant Char Marckese
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