The 23rd annual Battle of the Badges competition returns to Fort Wayne this December and the community is invited to give more life in honor of local police, fire and EMS personnel by giving blood with the American Red Cross from Dec. 11-23.

Kickoff Event:

• WHAT: A special campaign kickoff event with representatives from police, patrol, fire and EMS giving blood and available for interview.

• WHEN: Mon. Dec. 11, 2017, starting at 6 a.m.

• WHERE: Fort Wayne Donor Center, 1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne

• WHO: Representatives from local police, fire and EMS giving blood and available for interview.

Battle of the Badges is the longest-running local blood donation competition in Fort Wayne, with a goal this year of collecting 600 blood and platelet donations at two Red Cross locations, the American Red Cross Fort Wayne Blood Donation Center and the Lutheran Hospital American Red Cross Blood Donation Center. When you come to give blood during the campaign you can vote for either police/highway patrol, or firefighters/EMS to win the competition. Participants will also receive a Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt and enjoy food from Pizza Hut, while supplies last.

This good-natured rivalry among first responder groups helps ensure the blood supply keeps pace with demand during the holidays. Groups participating this year include: Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Fire Department and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority. Battle of the Badges is also supported by ABC21 WPTA, Adams Radio Group of Fort Wayne and Pizza Hut.

Blood donors of all types are needed. Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact.

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.

Once the campaign begins you can check the current score online at www.redcrossblood.org/indianaohio. To make an appointment to donate, contact the Red Cross at redcrossblood.org, 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Battle of the Badges donation locations and hours:

Fort Wayne Donation Center
1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne, (across from the Memorial Coliseum)

Mon. Dec. 11: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tues. Dec. 12 – Weds. Dec. 13: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thurs. Dec. 14: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 15 – Sun. Dec. 17: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mon. Dec. 18 – Weds. Dec. 20: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thurs. Dec. 21: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 22 – Sat. Dec. 23: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Lutheran Hospital Donation Center

7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107 in Fort Wayne (in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital)

Mon. Dec. 11 – Tues. Dec. 12: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Weds. Dec. 13: Closed

Thurs. Dec. 14: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 15 – Sun. Dec. 17: 6 a.m.-12 p.m.

Mon. Dec. 18 – Tues. Dec. 19: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Weds. Dec. 20: Closed

Thurs. Dec. 21 – Sat. Dec. 23: 6 a.m.-12 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.