A child is the inspiration for each team this week when area police officers and firefighters face off for the fourth annual Guns 'n Hoses Blood Drive campaign.

Proudly sporting a blue "I'm For The Police" T-shirt is Noah Misselt, 7, the son of Chris and Tammy Misselt of Box Elder. Chris Misselt is an officer for the Box Elder Police Department. Rhiannon Purcella's bright red "I'm For The Fire Department" T-shirt is an appropriate backdrop for her long, auburn hair. Rhiannon, 6, is the daughter of Seth and Katie Purcella of Rapid City. Seth Purcella is a Rapid City firefighter.

Their fathers might have different professions, but Noah and Rhiannon have plenty in common - acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Rhiannon's disease is in remission, but Noah continues to receive treatments in Rapid City and at University of Minnesota Hospital- Fairview.

Blood platelet and whole blood transfusions are something the Misselt and Purcella families have both learned more about than they ever wanted to know.

The community support that the Misselts have received since Noah's diagnosis made it easy for them to agree help with the blood drive.

It was the same for the Purcellas.

The blood drive runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, June 24-27, at Rushmore Mall.

As an emergency medical technician, Chris Misselt always knew there was a need for blood donors, but the importance of those donors hit close to home when Noah was first diagnosed last May and spent time in the Minneapolis hospital.

"The demand is huge," Chris Misselt said. The Misselts met families whose children had received huge quantities of blood or platelets.

Noah has received several platelet infusions. Fortunately, he's needed fewer whole blood transfusions, his parents said.

Eighty percent of the population will use blood at some point in their life, but only five percent of the population donates blood, according to United Blood Services.

Last year's Guns 'n Hoses Blood Drive collected 681 pints of blood. Firefighters have won the competition the past two years, according to Miranda Andrew of United Blood Services.

Noah is a little camera shy, but suggest a police car or fire truck as a backdrop and an award-winning smile appears. Noah's career ambitions routinely fluctuate between law enforcement and firefighting, his dad says.

This week, Noah's putting aside any partiality for fire fighters to cheer for the police.

"I want the police to win," he said.

What: Guns 'n Hoses Blood Drive 2009

Where: Rushmore Mall

When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, June 24-27

Walk-ins are welcome, but please consider making an appointment by calling 342-8585, online at bloodhero.com using the codes gunsnhosespolice or gunsnhosesfire or on Facebook (United Blood Services Rapid City) and RSVPing to the event on the page. You must be at least 17 years old to donate blood, but 16-year-olds may donate with a permission form signed by a parent, available at the drive or online.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com.