The Miller-Keystone Blood Center announced a friendly blood drive competition May 20, which is designed to address declining donations and increased demands over the impending summer season. Dubbed the "Boots, Badges and Bandages" competition, it has public safety fire, police and EMS services across Miller-Keystone's 12 county coverage area joining forces with the blood center to assure that sufficient blood supplies exist during summer's short supply and heavy demand for blood products. The competition began May 26 and ends Sept. 1.

There is a higher incidence of accidents in the summer, according to Miller-Keystone's corporate director of communications Marie Clemens, who also pointed out that vacations and school breaks mean a decline in donations.

Miller-Keystone's Sean Tinney, director of marketing and business development, said 450 units need to be donated each day of the year to meet demand in the 22 area hospitals that rely on these donations.

Representatives of police, fire and EMS services also were in attendance and issued friendly challenges in the competition. Bethlehem firefighter Matthew Griffin, Bethlehem paramedic supervisor Bill Guth and South Whitehall Township police sergeant Michael Sorrentino spoke on behalf of their respective services, which will each be organizing and coordinating blood drives throughout the region during the competition period.

Individual donors may also have their blood donations credited to the fire, police or EMS teams in honor of their favorite local heroes. To schedule a donation visit they can visit Miller-Keystone's website at www.GIVEaPINT.org.

The winning service will receive a Heroes Blood Drive trophy.