{"id":58117,"date":"2015-12-09T10:00:40","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T15:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=58117"},"modified":"2020-12-24T11:04:54","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T16:04:54","slug":"battle-of-the-badges-kicks-off-in-fort-wayne-next-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2015\/12\/09\/battle-of-the-badges-kicks-off-in-fort-wayne-next-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Battle of the Badges kicks off in Fort Wayne next week"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"American<\/p>\n

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News release from the American Red Cross:<\/p>\n

Battle of the Badges kicks off in Fort Wayne<\/strong>
\nAnnual competition among first responders to help boost winter blood supply<\/em><\/p>\n

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(November 2015) \u00e2\u20ac\u201d The 21st annual Battle of the Badges competition returns to Fort Wayne this December and the community is invited to help save lives in honor of local police, fire and EMS personnel.<\/p>\n

Battle of the Badges is the longest-running local blood donation competition in Fort Wayne. Taking place from Dec. 14-26 at two locations, the Fort Wayne Donor Center and the Lutheran Hospital Donor Center, officers and the community can give blood or platelets and vote for one of the two groups battling for blood – police and fire\/EMS.<\/p>\n

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. 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).<\/p>\n

In addition to helping save lives and supporting local first responders, those who come to give for the Battle of the Badges will receive a commemorative Red Cross t-shirt and refreshments from Pizza Hut.<\/p>\n

The winter holiday season is one of the most challenging periods of the year for the Red Cross to collect enough blood and platelet donations. Busy schedules and inclement weather often mean fewer blood donations. 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.<\/p>\n

Once the campaign begins you can check the current score online at www.redcrossblood.org\/indianaohio<\/a>. To make an appointment to donate, contact the Red Cross at redcrossblood.org<\/a> or 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).<\/p>\n

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Battle of the Badges donation locations and hours<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Fort Wayne Donor Center<\/strong>
\n1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne<\/em> (across from the Memorial Coliseum)<\/p>\n