The Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire and West Traffic Divisions won an annual blood donation competition for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center by generating the most participation among six police stations in the LAPD’s Operations West Bureau.

Lt. James Antenucci said he frequently donates blood, and was happy to help the Hollywood Division win the competition. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Forty-four people donated 36 units of blood on Aug. 31 at the Wilshire and West Traffic Divisions, which are located next door to each other in the 4800 block of Venice Boulevard. The LAPD’s Hollywood Division came in second with 41 donors on Aug. 25, but the Hollywood Division collected 39 units of blood, said Shawn Wittmier, supervisor of blood donor services for the hospital.

“LAPD Wilshire [and West Traffic] Divisions finished strong and won this year’s competition,” Wittmeir added. “The real winners are the patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center that will benefit from the generosity of the officers of LAPD West Bureau.”

Thirty-four people donated 28 units of blood on Aug. 24 at the LAPD’s West Los Angeles Division, and 27 donors provided 22 units during a blood drive at the Pacific Division on Aug. 29. Personnel at the LAPD’s Olympic Division donated 22 units of blood on Aug. 23. A total of 147 units of blood was donated.

Lt. James Antenucci was one of donors at the Hollywood Division and said it is important to regularly donate blood.

“Anytime I can, I get out and I give,” Antenucci added. “It always helps to put on a competition. It gets people revved up and ready to go.”

The division that generated the most donors is treated to a luncheon by Cedars-Sinai’s Blood Donor Services.

“It’s so important to donate because less and less people are able to,” Wittmier said. “The fact that they are doing this every year and partnering to meet the needs of patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is great. It’s part of them giving back to the community, which is something they do every day in their jobs.”