(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is teaming up with Vitalant to host quarterly blood drives, and their latest one was held on Monday, Aug. 11.
In 2024, CSFD Medical Lieutenants, with the help of UCHealth and the UCHealth Memorial Foundation, became the first in the state to carry whole blood (Type O) in their rigs to give life-saving blood transfusions in the field before a patient gets to the hospital.
Whole blood is blood that has none of its components missing. Previously, first responders used IV fluids to treat patients en-route to the hospital, but whole blood increases the chance of survival. Whole blood is safe to use for any blood type.
“It takes a village to help save lives, and one of those critical components in EMS is our partnerships with the community,” said Medical Program Coordinator Mark Warth. “We cannot do this without our donors. It’s a product that truly, bringing it to the injury, bringing it to the illness, utilizing 911 to activate us to get there sooner, can decrease mortality rates immensely.”
You can sign up or find more information about the next CSFD blood drive by clicking here.
Organizers held the blood drive at Fire Station 19 on Research Parkway from 11 a.m. to 3:30 Monday afternoon. If you’re interested in donating at the next drive, all blood types are welcomed and encouraged to donate, but you must have an appointment.
If you missed Monday’s blood drive, FOX21 News will be teaming up with Vitalant for another drive on Friday, Aug. 22, in an effort to help local health agencies.
Click here for more information and to sign up for the FOX21 Blood Drive 2025.
On Friday, FOX21 News will be live all morning long, highlighting donor’s impactful stories and speaking with Vitalant about the importance of giving blood. If you decide to donate, you can look forward to burritos from King’s Chef Diner!
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