LAPD Gives The Gift of Life

KOREATOWN (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Police officers are teaming up with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in an employee and community blood drive.

According to Cedars-Sinai, a single blood donation can help save the lives of up to two people.  The hospital normally uses 60,000 units of blood and blood components each year.

Police Capt. Vito Palazzolo said the cause hits home for him. "Many of our officers have been transported to that hospital when they had gotten injured. We see first-hand the great work that they do," Palazzolo said. "Some of our officers have been recipients of blood due to serious injuries. So any little thing we can do to help out; we are glad to do it," he said.

Officers from five divisions are competing to see which station can donate the most blood. The blood drive takes place on Aug. 17-20.

The public is also welcomed to donate blood at the following LAPD stations:

Monday, Aug. 17
3 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
LAPD Pacific Division
12312 Culver Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(310) 202-2890

Wednesday, Aug. 19
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
LAPD West LA Division
1663 Butler Ave.
West Los Angeles
(310) 444-0735

Thursday, Aug. 20
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
LAPD Wilshire & West Traffic Divisions
4861 West Venice Blvd.
Mid-City
(213) 743-0200

Thursday, Aug. 20
2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
LAPD Hollywood Division
1358 North Wilcox Ave.
Hollywood
(323) 871-4076