First Responders to be Honored at ‘Guns and Hoses’ Blood Drive in Wichita Falls on 9/11

The 2nd annual Texas Blood Institute Guns & Hoses Blood Drive in Wichita Falls will be held September 11 at the Faith Masonic Lodge at 3503 Kemp St from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

This blood drive is in honor of all first responders who risk their lives for us each and every day. It will also serve as a memorial to all who lost their lives 14 years ago on September 11.

Each donor at Friday’s blood drive, will receive a Guns & Hoses T-shirt and will get to vote for either the Police Department, Fire Department or Sheriff’s Department. The winning branch will receive bragging rights and a trophy.

“This is our second year to host this blood drive to honor all first responders that risk their lives for us each day," said Dave Yonts, Worshipful Master at Faith Masonic Lodge No 1158 AF & AM.

"We also want everyone to stop for a moment and remember all the lives lost and forever affected on September 11, 2001," Yonts continues. "This is a way to honor those that were lost. Where were you when the world stopped turning?”

One in every seven people entering a hospital will need blood. However, of those eligible to donate blood in the U.S., only about ten percent actually do. Giving blood takes about an hour, and each donation can save as many as three different lives. Donations can be made every 56 days.

Although all blood types are needed, those with negative type blood are especially urged to donate. Only 18 percent of the population has negative blood types. Yet, patients with negative blood types can only receive blood from those 18 percent who have negative types.

Donors can opt to forgo the T-shirts, and instead, support Global Blood Fund (GBF). TBI will contribute on behalf of these donors to GBF to provide supplies and technology to struggling blood centers. In the countries they serve, lives are lost daily due to an inadequate blood supply.

Texas Blood Institute is the sole blood and platelet collection organization and supplier in north Texas. All local donations give life-saving blood for those in our community.

Anyone 16 and older* can typically donate. Appointments to donate can be made at txbi.org or by calling 877-340-8777 (no appointment necessary for the Guns & Hoses Blood Drive).

*16 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.