Southern Alberta first responders give back and face off for 'Sirens for Life'
Emergency service workers in southern Alberta are answering the call to help save lives as part of this year's "Sirens for Life" challenge by donating blood and plasma.
Lethbridge’s police and departments, as well as Coaldale and Taber’s fire crews, are taking part in the friendly competition to see who can bring in the most blood and plasma donations this February.
"This is a product that we have in our body that's easily replaceable," said Lethbridge’s chief of police, Shahin Mehdizadeh.
"So for us to kind of contribute in hopes of saving somebody's life, you can't put a value on that."
The campaign goal is to collect 200 donations and bring in 100 new donors.
Sirens for Life was created to inspire others to become blood and plasma donors and residents can come and donate toward any of the teams.
"You can pick a team to be supportive of, so you don't have to be a police officer to be on the police partner for life team," said Brenna Scott, the Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre’s business development manager.
"So, we're hoping to get some community members involved in those teams as well."
Mehdizadeh, along with Taber’s fire chief, Steve Munshaw, say there's nothing better than a face-off between friends that will help save lives.
"Friendly competition really builds morale and supports the community," Munshaw told CTV News.
"This is one of those great ways to kick off and help other people as we continue to do that every day in our work."
"Competition is always good," said Mehdizadeh.
"These are healthy competitions, but I also have the attitude that we don't need to wait for a competition to go and do this."
In addition, Lethbridge and Coaldale's mayors were also down to show their support.
"Currently, the need for plasma in Canada is four times more than what's currently being donated and I think it's important for all of us to do our part," said Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn.
"To be able to have these first responders out and giving back to the community is great and we encourage everyone to come in here and be part of the Sirens for Life," added Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen.
This was the second Sirens for Life campaign the Lethbridge Plasma Donor Centre has run, with the first happening last summer.
Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer held their Sirens for Life challenges in January.
To register, you can contact Canadian Blood Services.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.