News release from the American Red Cross:
20th Anniversary Battle of the Badges Kicks Off in Fort Wayne
Friendly competition among first responders to help boost winter blood supply
(November 26, 2014) — The Battle of the Badges is the longest-running local blood donation competition in Fort Wayne. It is also the community’s largest annual blood drive. In this 20th year of competition, you can be part of helping to save lives and honoring local heroes. This year’s event takes place Monday, December 8th through Saturday, December 20th at the Fort Wayne Donor Center and the Lutheran Donor Center.
The Battle of the Badges is a good-natured rivalry among first responder groups that helps ensure the blood supply keeps pace with demand during the holidays. The groups participating this year include local law enforcement (Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police) versus fire and EMS responders (Fort Wayne Fire Department and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority).
The community is invited to participate by giving blood and voting for their favorite first responder team. You will be saying “thank you” to the men and women who put their lives on the line in emergencies. You’ll also be “paying It forward” by providing much-needed blood or platelets for patients depending on donated blood products. As our way of showing our appreciation, all blood and platelet donors during the Battle of the Badges will receive a commemorative Red Cross t-shirt and refreshments from Pizza Hut.
The winter holiday season can be among the most challenging times of the year for the Red Cross to collect enough blood and platelet donations as donors become busy with holiday activities, and bad weather forces the cancellation of blood drives. However, the need for blood is constant. Every day, regardless of the season, hospital patients need blood or platelets for cancer treatments, lifesaving surgeries, or emergency care related to accidents or trauma.
“Hospital patients have an ongoing need for blood and platelets heading into winter, and they rely on the generosity of volunteer donors to give them hope in the days and weeks ahead,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “By giving about an hour of your time and a pint of blood or a platelet donation, you’ll feel great knowing you’re giving something that means something this holiday season.”
The 20th anniversary Battle of the Badges is sponsored by 21Alive. WBCL 90.3 is our radio sponsor. Refreshments are sponsored by Pizza Hut.
Battle of the Badges donation locations and hours:
The Fort Wayne Donor Center located at 1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne, (across from the Memorial Coliseum)
- Monday, Dec. 8: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Thursday, Dec. 11: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 12: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 13: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 14: Closed
- Monday, Dec. 15:- Thursday, Dec. 18: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 19: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 20 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Lutheran Hospital Donor Center located at 7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107 in Fort Wayne (in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital)
- Monday, Dec. 8 – Tuesday, Dec. 9: Noon. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 10: Closed
- Thursday, Dec. 11 – Saturday, Dec. 13: Noon. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 14: Closed
- Monday, Dec. 15 – Tuesday, Dec. 16: Noon. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 17: Closed
- Thursday, Dec. 18 – Saturday, Dec. 20: Noon. – 6 p.m.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcrossblood.org.
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