On Tuesday, June 14th, Captain Rob Hutchens hosted a blood drive at Portland Fire & Rescue’s (PF&R) Training & Safety Facility in NE Portland.  His goal was simple - to energize PF&R members and provide a convenient way to give back to the community.

Captain Hutchens worked with a Red Cross representative to help make the blood drive a success.  For the past six years, he has organized the location, publicized the event, recruited donors within PF&R, and scheduled donors for their appointments. 

This year, the Red Cross brought equipment supplies out to the training center in the Blood Mobile, confidentially screened donors, and collected the donations. The Red Cross states that donated blood will be used in about two weeks after it has been thoroughly tested.

Even more importantly, the Red Cross reports that just one donation can help save the lives of up to three people!

Hutchens is dedicated to this cause in honor of his son Flynn.  Flynn had an unexpected, 14-hour open heart surgery when has was three days old.  During that surgery, Flynn received 18 units of blood and blood products from the Red Cross.  Hutchens is happy report that Flynn is a happy and healthy eight-year old today!

Interested in giving blood or hosting a blood drive for your organization or business? Visit the American Red Cross online at http://www.nwblood.redcross.org/donating-blood.

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   June 14, 2011

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