First Responders Roll Up Their Sleeves for Sirens For Life Blood Drive

The Sirens For Life campaign encourages Police, Fire and Medical services to donate blood during the summer months, which is often when blood is in high demand.

Sirens For Life invites Police Officers, Paramedics, Firefighters and any first responder to donate blood.

Inspector John Lyons has been with the Peterborough Police Department for 35 years, and has been donating blood since then.

“As a first responder I have seen up close and personal the need for blood products arise from the traumatic events that are often seen in policing, EMS or Fire services,” said Lyons.

Lyons says that his experience as a first responder has provided him with knowledge of what donating blood can accomplish and how important it is.

“One thing I can say for sure is donating blood doesn’t hurt you,” Lyons said. “I’ve never donated blood and felt that I’d lost anything.”

Typically, from the May 24 weekend to the August long weekend, first responders are called to more accidents requiring blood, according to Lyons. This can be because of the influx of people outside, on the road and at their cottages, though he notes the need for blood is year round.

“There’s a lot worse things than donating blood, you could be the one in a trauma center needing it, but here we are with the ability to donate it.”

For more information on how you can donate blood click here.

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