BOSTON, Mass. — First responders geared up on Sunday to participate in a grueling obstacle course through the TD Garden to raise funds for families of those killed in the line of duty and to put an end to blood shortage.
In its second year, the BFit First Responders Challenge gathered over 800 participants. Firefighters, police, and EMTs ran through an obstacle course wearing their gear in order to raise awareness around health and wellness of first responders and to support The Hundred Club.
The Hundred Club is a charity that supports the families of police officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
"The event this year basically quadrupled, we have over 800 participants," said BLANK.
The Red Cross teamed up with the Boston Bruins and the Bruins Foundation to work toward two causes - first, putting an end to a critical blood shortage that's had an impact in our community.
The winter weather, along with the holiday season, had a tremendous impact on blood collection in Massachusetts.
Last year, the event raised a total of $130,000, and this year, since the announcement of the event, over $200,000 had been raised. Fundraising doesn't close until February 21.
At the age of eight, Jacquelyn Rogers was supposed to undergo open-heart surgery, yet a shortage of negative O blood forced her doctors to postpone the operation.
Jacquelyn's surgery was eventually successful, but her story shares an important message - donating blood saves lives.