Hoover Fire Department Pulls out a Win in Annual Boots and Badges Blood Drive
By Matt Bryant
Dustin Moore has routinely donated blood for more than 20 years. What motivates him? A competition of sorts. You could call it a competition – in memoriam.
“My dad gave 25 gallons over his lifetime before he passed away. He got me doing it when I was 18 and I’m trying to catch him,” he explains with a smile.
Moore heads up the City of Hoover’s Fleet Department and Thursday morning, he sat comfortably on a padded donation table inside the Community Room at Hoover City Hall. He was donating again – this time giving what’s called a “Power Red”. It’s the most, well, powerful of donations. The process allows donors to give nearly twice the amount of red blood cells as a whole blood donation — thereby doubling the impact for future patients. Moore takes it like a champ. This is common place for him. He donates every eight weeks.
“I didn’t know this when I started, but it’s actually healthy to replenish your blood cells, so that’s a benefit to it,” he says cheerfully, his left arm extended while he squeezes a sponge ball.
With him having Type O blood, his donation is extremely important and the most in demand because anyone can receive that blood type. But all donations are important and especially during the summer.
“Summer can be tricky just because people are out of their routine, and so they need encouragement to come out and make time for it, even though you want to jump in the pool. So, yeah, it’s really a vital time for us to,” explains Jojo Burnett, a representative with the Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross.
They sponsored the 4th Annual Hoover Boots & Badges Blood Drive Thursday – a friendly competition between the Hoover Fire Department and the Hoover Police Department to see which agency can recruit the most blood donors for the community.
Thursday, the Fire Department won with 71 votes to the Police Department’s 59. It was the first time the boots beat out the badges, but overall, it was the community that won with a total of 125 units collected throughout the 11-hour drive.
“The Hoover Fire Department and Hoover Police Department are grateful. We had such a remarkable turnout for blood donations Thursday,” Hoover Fire Chief Clay Bentley said. “We are grateful for the support and we always look forward to this event each year because we think it’s a great way for the two departments to give back to the community in a different way.”
As for his department winning the contest, Bentley said in a kind, yet spirited manner, “The Fire Department has allowed the Police Department to win over the years just because they needed some encouragement. So this year, we decided to take the win back! But the turnout was remarkable.
“I want to thank everyone that came out to support our 4th annual Boots vs Badges community blood drive yesterday!” Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said in a social media post Friday. “While it’s always fun to compete with our brothers and sisters at the Hoover Fire Department, the real winners are the lives that can be saved by your generous donations. The American Red Cross of Alabama was able to collect 125 usable units, which surpasses last year’s total of 122. 125 units could potentially save up to 200 people. Because of you, this blood drive continues to rank as the #1 Boots vs Badges drive in the Alabama and Mississippi region. I’m proud that our community always steps up when there is a need to help others. Thank you, Hoover!”
Officer George Shanks has given in blood drives before, but this was his first time participating as an officer in the Boots & Badges Drive.
He admits the free t-shirt and donuts donors received were nice perks. But most of all…
“I give because it helps save lives,” Shanks said.
That’s the same sentiment that’s kept Dustin Moore Donating for more than two decades.
“It makes me feel good to know I’m helping somebody that I don’t know – kind of paying it forward. To save a life, that’s the goal.”
Having donated thirteen gallons already, he’s already done that and more. Watch out, Dad! He’s gaining on you.
