Hendrick Regional Blood Center hosts annual Rodney Holder Memorial Blood Drive, July 16 – 17
- Category: News, Hendrick Clinic
- Posted On:
The 14th Annual Rodney Holder Memorial Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 17 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. to benefit Hendrick Regional Blood Center (HRBC).
For the event nicknamed Guns vs. Hoses blood drive, two locations are available for blood donations – Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District, 850 N. Sixth St. or Hendrick Regional Blood Center at 1701 Pine St.
The Abilene Police Department and other law enforcement representatives – the Guns – and the Abilene Fire Department and other rescue first responders – the Hoses – use the drive as a friendly competition to help restock the blood center’s supplies.
In addition to the many police officers, firefighters and other first responders who donate during the drive, the general public is encouraged to give a pint in honor of the Guns or of the Hoses. Donors will receive a pint of Blue Bell ice cream and a Guns and Hoses T-shirt.
Blood centers across the country experience a noticeable decline in donations during the summer. HRBC supplies blood products to 21 hospitals in a 19-county region.
“When you choose to donate blood, you’re choosing to save lives,” said Lauren Spindler, blood center marketing and business development manager. “Patients may include individuals who have experienced an accident or trauma, babies in our NICU or cancer patients.”
The drive began in 2011 to honor long-time blood donor Rodney Holder, a police officer killed the previous year in a motorcycle crash while on duty.
In 2024, the blood drive netted 319 donations, with the Hoses winning with 165 donors to the Guns’ 154 donors. As the 2024 winner, the Abilene Fire Department earned the traveling trophy. Since keeping track by group, the Guns and Hoses are tied with five wins each.
Donors must be at least 17 years old and meet other eligibility requirements. To learn more about donating blood, visit hendrickbloodcenter.org, follow Hendrick Regional Blood Center on Facebook or call 325-670-2798.
