The “Battle of the Badges” wrapped up Friday afternoon. It's a statewide competition put on by 'Michigan Blood" between the fire departments and the police departments.
The goal is to encourage the donation of blood during the week between Christmas and New Years which is a time when collection is critically low and the need is high.
For Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department Chief Pat Parker the cause hit close to home. His life was saved from the kindness of a blood donor after a snowmobile accident nearly killed him.
7&4's Kate Fox has his incredible story of survival and the importance of donating blood.
Chief Pat Parker says, "The greatest part is a donor somewhere had actually given the gift of life and it was part of saving my life."
On January 24th 2008 Chief Pat Parker and his buddies took off on a snowmobile ride in the Upper Peninsula.
During the middle of the trip, Parker made blind right turn and ran straight into an 11 axle logging truck--slamming his chest against the truck's trailer.
He knew he had broken some ribs but it wasn't until arriving at Baraga Memorial Hospital in L’Anse that he found out he had a detached aorta.
Parker explains, "The one I had detached was the aorta that feeds blood to the whole abdomen and lower extremities."
On the brink of death parker was rushed to Marquette General for emergency open-heart surgery.
Parker says, "My first association with a blood donor was when they hung blood because if that aorta was to burst and start leaking then hopefully they were going to be able to keep me alive."
Michigan Blood Manager of Donor Relations Holly Sika says Parker was extremely fortunate. She explains, "Out of seven people who enter the hospital one of those people will have to have blood or blood product and only three to four people out of 100 people are actually donating blood."
After the seven hour surgery Parker says he woke up with a new found respect and gratitude for those that donate blood, "I'm so thankful to the donors that had give along the way and so every time there's an opportunity to give blood, I encourage people to do that."
For a list of donation drives in your area CLICK HERE.
Follow the ‘Search for Donation Sites' icon.
