Hendrick Regional Blood Center hosts annual “Guns vs. Hoses” blood drive, July 16-17

The 13th Annual Rodney Holder Memorial Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 17 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. to benefit Hendrick Regional Blood Center (HRBC).

Donations for the event – nicknamed the Guns and Hoses blood drive – can be made at two locations: Hendrick Regional Blood Center at 1701 Pine Street, or the Abilene Police Department, (inside the Media Room) at 4565 S. First Street.

The Abilene Polie Department and law enforcement – the Guns – and the Abilene Fire Department and rescue – the Hoses – use the drive as a friendly competition to help restock the blood center’s supplies at a time of year when donations historically are low nationwide. HRBC supplies blood products to 20 hospitals in an 18-county region.

“This blood drive is so important because we experience a lull in donations at this time of year,” said Lauren Spindler, blood center marketing and business development manager. “But, the need for blood products doesn’t decline.”

The blood drive began in 2011 to honor long-time donor Rodney Holder, a police officer killed the previous year in a motorcycle crash while on duty.

In addition to the many police officers and firefighters and other first responders who donate during the drive, the general public is encouraged to give a pint for the Guns or for the Hoses. Donors will receive a pint of Blue Bell ice cream and a Guns and Hoses T-shirt.

In 2023, the blood drive netted 395 donations, with the Guns edging out the Hoses 199 to 196. As the 2023 winner, the Abilene Police Department earned the traveling trophy and the right to serve as a donation site for this year’s drive. Since keeping track by group, the Guns have won five of the annual drives, compared to four for the Hoses.

Donors must be at least 17 years old and meet other eligibility requirements. To learn more about donating blood, visit , follow Hendrick Regional Blood Center on Facebook or call 325-670-2798.