DECEMBER 1, 2023, UPDATE:
The firefighters have retaken possession of the traveling championship trophy for the annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns and Hoses Blood Drive after collecting 227 donor votes to the law enforcement’s 213 votes.
438 units of blood were collected, four more than last year’s blood drive.
LifeServe Blood Center Territory Representative Abbie Arneson says it’s the people in the Pierre and Fort Pierre area that are the true winners.
Arneson says they saw a lot of first time donors during the three-day blood drive.
There have been multiple tragedies in the Pierre and Fort Pierre area this year and Arneson thinks some first time donors– whether it be their first time ever donating or simply their first time donating with LifeServe– came because they’ve been affected in some way by those losses.
The 20th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n Hoses Blood Drive will be held Dec. 4-6, 2024.
Tyler Wilcox passed away in 2005 at the age of 19 after a three year fight with cancer. He used over 250 units of blood during his cancer battle and wanted to do something to pay the generosity forward.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
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DECEMBER 1, 2023:
The firefighters maintained the lead over law enforcement after the second day (Nov. 30, 2023) of the Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns and Hoses Blood Drive, but the margin has gotten much closer. The current tally is firefighters 163 and law enforcement 156.
A total of 172 people signed up to donate and 173 units of blood were collected bringing the two-day total to 321 units. This year’s goal is 515 units. Blood donations are being taken today from 8am-1:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre. With one donation, you can impact up to three lives.
In January 2022, Avera switched it’s blood supplier from Vitalant to LifeServe, making LifeServe the only supplier of blood and blood products for all of Avera’s hospitals in South Dakota– including the ones in Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre.
Blood donors who would like to transfer their lifetime blood donation records from other blood collection entities to LifeServe, may do so by going to lifeserve.info/transfer.
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NOVEMBER 30, 2023:
Team Hoses takes the lead after first day of 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns ‘n Hoses Blood Drive; Event continues in Pierre today and tomorrow
The firefighters took the lead over law enforcement 90 to 57 after the first day of the 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns and Hoses Blood Drive yesterday (Nov. 29, 2023) in Fort Pierre.
A total of 147 people signed up to donate, 20 more than on the first day of last year’s blood drive. 148 units of blood were collected. This year’s goal is 515 units. With one donation, you can impact up to three lives.
Nettie Barto with LifeServe Blood Center says there aren’t as many restrictions making people ineligible to donate as there used to be.
She says there shouldn’t be much waiting time as they brought in extra staff for this event.
Today and tomorrow the blood drive is at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre.
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Thursday from noon-5:30pm
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Friday from 8am-1:30pm
In January 2022, Avera switched it’s blood supplier from Vitalant to LifeServe, making LifeServe the only supplier of blood and blood products for all of Avera’s hospitals in South Dakota– including the ones in Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre.
Blood donors who would like to transfer their lifetime blood donation records from other blood collection entities to LifeServe, may do so by going to lifeserve.info/transfer.
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NOVEMBER 29, 2023:
The 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive begins today (Nov. 29, 2023) at the Fort Pierre Fire Hall and continues tomorrow and Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre.
This year’s goal is 515 units. Last year’s event collected 434 units of blood over three days.
LifeServe Blood Center Territory Representative Abbie Arneson says having a local blood supply available is important because we never know when an accident may happen.
The Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive hours and locations are:
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Wednesday, Nov. 29 from noon-5:30pm CT at the Fort Pierre Fire Hall
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Thursday, Nov. 30 from noon-5:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre
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Friday, Dec. 1 from 8am-1:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre
To schedule an appointment for the Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive, go to www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 605-626-1620.
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NOVEMBER 28, 2023:
The 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive begins tomorrow (Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2023) in Fort Pierre and continues Thursday and Friday in Pierre.
Lab Director for the Avera St. Mary’s Region Kristin Hawkinson says she tries to keep a variety of blood types on hand.
Hawkinson says blood has a limited amount of time it can wait to be used, so she has to rotate their supply.
But, before the blood can get to the hospital, LifeServe Blood Center Territory Representative Abbie Arneson says each unit donated is tested for a variety of things.
While you’ll likely never know exactly who receives the blood you donate, Arneson says LifeServe lets you know when your blood is on its way to help someone.
The Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive hours and locations are:
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Wednesday, Nov. 29 from noon-5:30pm CT at the Fort Pierre Fire Hall
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Thursday, Nov. 30 from noon-5:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre
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Friday, Dec. 1 from 8am-1:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre
To schedule an appointment for the Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive, go to www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 605-626-1620.
In January 2022, LifeServe Blood Center replaced Vitalant as the only supplier of blood and blood products for all of Avera’s hospitals in South Dakota– including the ones in Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre.
Blood donors who would like to transfer their lifetime blood donation records from other blood collection entities to LifeServe, may do so by going to lifeserve.info/transfer.
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NOVEMBER 22, 2023:
The 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive is next week (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) in Fort Pierre and Pierre.
In January 2022, LifeServe Blood Center replaced Vitalant as the only supplier of blood and blood products for all of Avera’s hospitals in South Dakota– including the ones in Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre.
LifeServe Blood Center Territory Representative Abbie Arneson says LifeServe’s name recognition is growing throughout the region.
Lab Director for the Avera St. Mary’s Region Kristin Hawkinson says the blood and blood products LifeServe collects are a vital part of treatment for some injuries and a variety of illnesses.
Hawkinson says one tragedy can use up their entire blood supply.
To schedule an appointment for next week’s Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive, go to www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 605-626-1620.
Blood donors who would like to transfer their lifetime blood donation records from other blood collection entities to LifeServe, may do so by going to lifeserve.info/transfer.
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