Throughout the month of June, the American Red Cross will participate in the statewide Fallen Officer Blood Drive Campaign. This is the sixth year the Red Cross will host blood drives across Indiana to honor fallen officers and raise awareness of the need for blood.

Janice Starnes, whose husband Sergeant Daniel Starnes was killed in the line of duty in 2001, founded the campaign and continues to organize it each year.

“Most encouraging,” Starnes says, “is that the blood drives continue to grow and our officers are not forgotten thanks to the people who come to give blood in their memory.”

Last year, every county in Indiana held at least one Fallen Officer blood drive and a total of 5,000 units of blood were collected. This year, the goal is to surpass 2011 collections and honor men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

“Unfortunately, three new names were added to our list of Indiana fallen officers since last summer. This blood drive campaign helps ensure they are not forgotten while also raising awareness of the dangers officers face every day and the need for blood,” says Starnes.

The following Fallen Officer Blood Drive will take place in your community: Tuesday, July 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion in the Small Pavilion Room, located at 117 Canal St. in Warsaw.

How to Donate Blood

To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.